Here comes...
![[Image: drawn-hood-hooded-man.jpg?raw=1]](https://www.dropbox.com/s/y5pt56piyyoqrrk/drawn-hood-hooded-man.jpg?raw=1)
Jovan Novak was a member of Faith, musician, writer and philosopher who lived in the second half of 1600s in Osrona. He never strived for triumph in combat and did not pay much attention to assault training. He enjoyed entertaining people with short stories and songs.
At old age the man settled at the farm with adopted kids. Jovan reviewed all his works and notes and published them for everyone, free - now and forever. Before publishing he stated: "If you like my writings, feel free to use them, quote and copy them as you like, just keep original author's name. Keep the speech free!"
Jovan was a member of Faith. He conducted research on a nature of Holy Arts and came with manual in two parts:
Theory of Holy Arts
Thoughts and reactions of readers:
"This is very good!" - Sienne, knight of Kraus Order
"You have interesting ideas here..." - Abaddon Malphas
Practice of Holy Arts
Jovan lived in a time of unrest when demons flooded the land. Many people suffered from their attacks, many of them either escaped Esshar, or were wounded by hellspawns. Here is a real story which happened to Jovan:
Occasionally Jovan also played music and performed songs. His skill was far from skill of Melody Airgetlam or Priscilla Solenne. Here's what left in his notebook:
Well, his poetry was quite mediocre. But, you can write better, right?
Demonic hellwolf El pursued Jovan near Moonfall, at the time when demons appeared in Esshar. Jovan performed "Let the starlight fall from heaven" when he was targeted by demon Sicks at Theria, c. 1675.
Jovan was always interested in Celestialism, he was interested in exploring stars since childhood. Well-known experts, Sina and Yiel, shared their toughts with Jovan and he recorded them. They helped numerous students to acquire formal position in Faith or just to develop understanding of celestials.
Sina was one of the mightiest celstial mages of her time, she taught Jovan many things. When he was young he wrote several tales while thinking about her
This is one of his earliest stories:
Close bound with star is dangerous; it grants you an immensive power but it comes by a cost of loosing reasoning. Jovan was near her, trying to containg her rage and entertaining her when she was falling into drowsiness and depression:
Jovan Novak was a member of Faith, musician, writer and philosopher who lived in the second half of 1600s in Osrona. He never strived for triumph in combat and did not pay much attention to assault training. He enjoyed entertaining people with short stories and songs.
At old age the man settled at the farm with adopted kids. Jovan reviewed all his works and notes and published them for everyone, free - now and forever. Before publishing he stated: "If you like my writings, feel free to use them, quote and copy them as you like, just keep original author's name. Keep the speech free!"
Jovan was a member of Faith. He conducted research on a nature of Holy Arts and came with manual in two parts:
Theory of Holy Arts
Quote:In these days of troubles and unrest more and more people seeking for protection and striving to master art of Holy. This note is intended to guide them on their way.
At first, let's define a meaning of Holy and values of Holy spirit. Rain Multhunder defined it briefly: "Holy is a manifestation of selflessness, but occult is manifestation of selfishness". These directions essentially involve opposite mechanisms of spirit: holy arts come from willing to share values, while occult comes from greedy desire of acquiring them.
Historically occult powers originate from demons (according to Kircheis); ancient archdemons imprinted those knowledge into humans. Holy magic takes its origin from Creator's compassion at the beginning of the world. The world began with the Creator's Light. All was dark, then the flash of divine magic flooded the world. Another art of pure Light can be mastered by those who have mastered Holy.
Celestial powers come from blessing of stars, while Holy mastery comes from a strength of person's soul. Kraus follower, Celestial follower and even agnostic can potentially master this art.
Some masters of this art declare that Holy user should devote their life to fighting evil. Others are sure that Holy comes from a desire to help others without expecting anything in return. In general, they are right, opposing dark arts is an important part in development of holy spirit. But holy magic is not necessary relates to combat potential of person. Those who have chosen path of abstaining from violence may have strong compassion and selfcontrol, which is important for mastering Holy.
As a conclusin, I'd like to include words of Radiant Elijah Soleis: "Holy Magic is the very foundations of everything. And I think it is what compels the hearts of humanity - compassion, love, and our innate desire to do good. It is something we can all find within us, the closest magic to our very souls."
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"Theory of Holy Arts" is based on ideas of Rain Multhunder, Yvel the exorcist, Sienne, Fleur Sanctum, Kircheis Astera, Elijah Soleis the Lightbringer.
"Practice of Holy Arts" is a second part
Jovan Novak
Thoughts and reactions of readers:
"This is very good!" - Sienne, knight of Kraus Order
"You have interesting ideas here..." - Abaddon Malphas
Practice of Holy Arts
Quote:Practice of Holy arts
Previous part, Theory of Holy Arts, explains the origins of Holy, and describes qualities which a practitioner should have. In this part I'll cover the practical aspects of Holy.
Holy orb is an important and the most basic manifestation of sacred energy. Practitioner conjures several orbs in a burst and releases them forward. To master it one should concentrate on the purest life experiences, on compassion and love to those who are by them. After that it is required to shape those feelings into a form of sphere and release it into a free flight. Practicing charity may help on a way of mastering Holy Orb.
Another powerful practice is called "Benediction". Those who are skilled with it can release inner light and cover ground with a blessing light. A way to master it is a bit challenging. I may advice to stand and try to imagine a protective circle of light, which keeps away evil from you and your companions.
These spells can be surprisingly powerful. Depending on the emotions you put into a Holy spell it can be used to purify and heal someone's soul, or to act as a weapon of protection.
There are some pure non-violent skills of Holy.
Righteous manifestation of Holy is one of them. A person can be distinguished from the crowd by a subtle glow. Mastering it is quite easy, once you know the basics. Just come to the darkest cave where no light comes. Stand a while in complete darkness and then - let your inner light flow around you. When some nasty predatorial creatures approach to you, attracted by light - don't be afraid, let the light reinforce your confidence and power of your offence.
Shield and Heal are another skills which come from compassion and love. They are based on a core principles of Holy arts. It's quite easy to master them once you understand the basics which has been explained before.
Jovan Novak
Jovan lived in a time of unrest when demons flooded the land. Many people suffered from their attacks, many of them either escaped Esshar, or were wounded by hellspawns. Here is a real story which happened to Jovan:
Quote:Valiant Adventure of Jovan
Once Jovan wanted to become really AWESOME! He's AWESOME for sure, but this time he wanted to be extremely NICE and AWESOME. Just like Priests. He was looking for an inspiring Priest, and he found Yvel the Exorcist-and-Medic (not be confused with Yiel, she's AWESOME, HOLY and NICE priest) and Rain Multhunder, the former exorcist. Yvel did not want to teach Jovan, because exorcists and fighters are in bigger demand than philosophers, but instead told that one should be fighting evil to become HOLY AWESOME, and to conduct a heroic deed. Rain told that a HOLY AWESOME person conducts this without thinking self, but thinking about others... "That might be challenging", - thought Jovan. But Jovan could fight two levitating cave carps at once! He knew also that one should be ready for a proper situation. HOLINESS and AWESOMENESS of a person are visible by deeds, that's what about Yvel and Rain Multhunder are sure.
That's was a saying, not a tale... Tale comes now!
Jovan was walking past the fields where boars roam. There was a boy, who was fighting boars, and some scary lady near him. Boars were quite nasty as usual. Jovan came to help a boy, because... well, helping others is natural. Because Jovan was AWESOME, he attracted a lady. That was Yunasea, a friend to demons (but who would know). After sharing some experience in alchemy, and having a little talk about boars with Jovan, Yunasea became extremely worried and aroused! She could not handle herself anymore, and shown her dark nature right in front of Jovan and small boy! Dark occultic spooky tendrils crawled from her cloak and tried to latch boy! She wanted to drag a little boy to Moonfall to do occult things with him! Exorcists explained that occultic magic is NOT AWESOME and Jovan found that tentacle really disgusting. It latched to a boy! Jovan artistically and naturally swinged a boy, pushing him away from tentacle, PLINKED and shouted: "I won't allow occult user to drag someone to spooky demonic outpost! Instead, we're going to Osrona!" So Yunasea attacked Jovan angrilly. Jovan PLINKED, DONKED, BONKED, even BWOINKED, BOOSTED BASS and tried to push that one away with powerful air gush, but she hurted Jovan, really nastily! Boy stood shocked as the lady took away Jovan's cloak and shirt! She wrapped shady tentacles around Jovan and started to suck Jovan's life forces with nasty tentacles. Oh no! That was absolutely unholy and disgusting! Rain Multhunder taught Jovan that Occult magic manifests with selfishness. Woman wanted to get a lot of Jovan's forces, but she satiated quickly and stopped. Definitely, she had something nice left in her soul, she returned his shirt after that. Jovan was lying under tree, really helpless, that was so awful!
She was going to have mercy on Jovan and leave him to recover... But then an evil demonic appartiotion appeared. That was Sicks, an enemy of all cheer, fun, holy, niceness and awesomeness. Sicks harassed Jovan before, real bully! This time Sicks approached to helpless Jovan, robbed him of his properties, and hit him really hard. It was so hard, that Jovan felt like he died! Or not... He found himself with his gray hood, shirt and reed bowl in an outworldly realm. That was an unremarkable hall, where the hooded figure stood. Jovan CASUALLY whistled his chillest tune and came to a figure, just to have a CASUAL chat. Suddenly figure turned to him and told: "good luck jovan" (yes, no emotions, just like it's written here). Next moment Jovan found self in forest, near Yunasea, Sicks and boy. Sicks was shocked, because Jovan was going to die! "Why have not you died???" - a demon asked. Jovan told: "Because dying is sad. And I hate sad things". Sicks was so angry, so slashed away Jovan's legs. Meanwhile boy escaped... The demon and servant of demon left Jovan in forest. He smoked a reed bowl under a tree... Being legless is bad, but friends helped Jovan... Teodor handed him the finest mechanical legs and Yvel installed them. So the story ended happily.
Jovan Novak
Occasionally Jovan also played music and performed songs. His skill was far from skill of Melody Airgetlam or Priscilla Solenne. Here's what left in his notebook:
Quote:Do not shed the blood in vain
Do not let your friend cry in pain
Do not shoot the bird at dawn
Do not let the feather fall on lawn
Quote:I lost my money
but only ten coins left
Ten coins left
Ten coins left
Taking my way to Moonfall
Moonfall is crawling
with demons and beasts
with demons and beasts
Now need to leave back to my home
That's in Sudbury I say.
Demon pack is sniffing the track
sniffing the track
But I'm already on my way back home
Quote:Let the starlight fall from heavens
keep the starlight in a heart
If you fall on field of battle
If you think that fight is lost
Turn your gaze straight to a heavens
Remember those whom love you most
If your heart's full of despair,
If you're stopped by dismay
let the starlight take your fear
let the starlight guide your way.
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I put my eyesight to skies
In the darkest night
And it has fallen -
...snowflake
... ... with a shape of a
... star
Wind howls in ridges in the far
A winter is so cruel and not fair
Well, his poetry was quite mediocre. But, you can write better, right?
Demonic hellwolf El pursued Jovan near Moonfall, at the time when demons appeared in Esshar. Jovan performed "Let the starlight fall from heaven" when he was targeted by demon Sicks at Theria, c. 1675.
Jovan was always interested in Celestialism, he was interested in exploring stars since childhood. Well-known experts, Sina and Yiel, shared their toughts with Jovan and he recorded them. They helped numerous students to acquire formal position in Faith or just to develop understanding of celestials.
Quote:We will start with the founding of the Celestial Church itself.
Astronomy was a fairly new development around the era of 320 AC, headed by Nile Pelleaux, who found that stars were vessels that washed away the taint of souls and cycled them through lives.
In essence, stars are responsible for the continuation of life on this planet as we know it, ever enduring and constant.
This is where Leonaus comes into play, the Divine Spirit of the stars, comprised of three branches of eighteen stars that hold the Lion's body together: yellow, blue, and red.
The YELLOW branch is the body of the Lion, where the heart resides: one of charisma, firmness, and order. Those with a strong and valiant heart are of this branch.
The BLUE branch is the head of the Lion, where the mind resides: one of wisdom, intellect, and intuition. Those with a keen mind are of this branch.
The RED branch forms the paws of the Lion, where the fervent spirit resides: one of action, passion, and morale. Those who possess a bold and audacious soul are of this branch.
Whether or not you are a follower of the church itself, it is an undeniable fact of our lives that the stars play a major role in guiding us.
The constellation of Leonaus is essentially a council of primordial celestials that dwell within each star, all functioning in synergy and impacting our lives on Eternia. Together, they form a divine spirit.
Often, the Church clergy will have the symbol of their patron star emblazoned on their skin, denoting their allegiances to a particular field of work, study, and whatnot. You can typically tell what kind of person they are by those markings.
Q: "Why so many? If a person does have a mark.. does it give them something or is it just a mark?"
Q: "...are there ways to learn what star someone is?"
A: "If a clergy member feels a strong connection with a particular star, be it through their own unsolicited dedication or because the star has spoken to them directly, more often than not they will inscribe their skin. The marking on its own does not give them that capacity, no, it is simply a display of their loyalties. However, if someone is marked, then it is likely they have already been contacted by that star.
The connection you have with your star is important, should you seek that bond. It is the will of the stars themselves to speak to you based upon the character you hold.
I am tied with Biblos, the North Star.
"You are chosen by a star based upon your actions. As I have previously mentioned, Leonaus is a council of celestials. Every movement is watched by these eighteen.
To form a bond, one must first desire to utilize the energy of the heavens. Then, they must carry onward in life with this in mind, meditating and calling your spirit to the skies.
One of them will step forward and claim you, eventually."
Q: "Can a star choose you, even if you don't desire to use that energy?"
A: "Should the star will it, yes. It goes both ways."
Q: "I thought they were just here to watch us?"
A: "Kraus, the Creator, wished for his creations to have the free will of choosing their own path.
The stars are merely children of His. I will put it in simple terms-
Think of it in the way of someone becoming fond of another. They cannot force themselves upon you if it is not what you want.
It is quite rare.
Additionally, it is your choice to accept the star's gift of power."
Q: "The stars. Do they judge?"
A: "Yes. Every moment of our lives is judged by the stars to determine what is done with our soul after our mortal flesh dies."
Q: "What happens if you commit heinous acts? What happens with your soul?"
A: "Your soul will be punished, sin burnt away. Afterwards, it will be cleansed and pushed back into the world."
Q: "What about a black star?"
A: "Stars exist on both physical and astral planes. In essence, they are in two places at once. They are their own dimensions. The spirit realm is the astral plane. White stars exist in what you would call 'paradise', in its own sense. Souls ascend here, forever to remain in a state of eternal bliss, should they choose it.
Black stars are voids that exist in Helheim, and as such, are the antithesis of white stars."
Sina
"Now, as for what we believe in... We understand that people have paths they follow through life, traced in starlight. The light within us is given to us at birth by the stars, and it returns to the stars as we depart this world. It's a constant cycle, our life a line between those two points. But that line need not be straightforward or easy. We may stray off course, and we may falter at times, but know that the stars above shine their strength and their blessings down upon you. One of the key virtues of our faith is self-improvement. We aim to better ourselves every day, in even a small way. Strengthening our bodies, bettering our connections with others, sharpening our minds - or, for some - honing our magic. There's many paths to better oneself, and one will never reach a 'perfect' form of themselves before their journey ends, but the steps we take on our paths are important."
-- Yiel
"Great Leonaus, give aid to those caught in the valley."
"Thorns of turmoil and thistles of torment surround their steps."
"Lead them through the valley where shadows and evil reign."
"Bring them instead to starlit pastures, to rivers that flow with light-blessed water."
"Comfort them with your presence. Strengthen them with your goodness."
"Restore their soul."
"Let them dwell with you reflected within their hearts forever and ever."
"Eternal grace."
-- Yiel
Each of the stars has a will that shines down and through all people. Such a will can shift, and the stars themselves can express themselves to those who take the time to listen. They are alive, though in a sense that's different from that of a man, as a man has a spiritual aspect and a physical aspect, while a star burns with a much, much more powerful spiritual aspect
I believe it's pointless to spend time worshipping a Creator that's likely dead or inactive within this world. The Clockmaker is one to be acknowledged, but it's a waste of energy looking to him, when there are the stars that are present in our lives.
-- Yiel about Kraus
Sina was one of the mightiest celstial mages of her time, she taught Jovan many things. When he was young he wrote several tales while thinking about her
This is one of his earliest stories:
Quote:Moonlight Lady
A poet was standing alone near the church contemplating mystery at evening. Moonlight was falling behind him. Suddenly a lady in white dress appeared, the moon was shining behind her.
"Hey, scribe, have you ever fought and danced before?". A poet had no experience with dancing and fighting, although he read about this a lot. He felt so unsure, as a girl took his his hand and led to a lone bridge over the calm water. She stood a bit afar, inviting him either for a dance, or for a fight.
Then, the air became filled with tiny sharp beams of light. Her dress sparkled under the moon shine with water drops. Large light ray blinded poet and the water wave collapsed him.
As the sounds of battle died, he whispered: "I am not going to dance again the same way you danced with me". But something in her eyes made him understand, that this is not a goodbye.
She tied a barely unconscious poet and took him to a flowering meadow, by a statue at outskirts. Slowly regained consciousness, a poet asked lady: "what happened?". A girl told: "Ignorance is kind. There's no comfort in the truth".
By that moment poet has recovered from girl's charms and ran away. She stood in moonlight watching his escape.
Jovan Novak
Close bound with star is dangerous; it grants you an immensive power but it comes by a cost of loosing reasoning. Jovan was near her, trying to containg her rage and entertaining her when she was falling into drowsiness and depression:
Quote:Sleeping Magic Girl
This tale is about one wizard princess. A princess lived in a castle. People liked princess at first, because she knew powerfull wizardry to protect them, and to harm foes.
But then princess became very proud. "I am the star magic girl here!" - she used to tell. And then she started to harass not only foes, but people who liked her. They have run away from princess.
The castle of princess became very spooky. People avoided to visit magic girl, because she was too spooky for them, growled on them too. Magic girl became lonely and fell asleep.
That is a story of sleeping magic girl.
Jovan Novak