Holy Magic
The Holy Arts are a collective of magical techniques that originate as an affinity towards the angels and their arcane light, the divine arbitrators that once acted as guardians of the cosmos. In recorded history, its roots start with the legendary figure Arthor Pendragon, who gained the power through the blade of Excalibur in the continent of Brittania. Beyond the beginnings, Holy Magic's driving force is the desire to protect, the polar opposite of the Occult's driven desire for destruction. Not to be mistaken with Light Magic, which is the direct manipulation of the metaphysical rays of light. While they do share some physical characteristics (and even practical ones) the latter has no emotional influence to it.
Properties
It appears as wispy rays of gold, though the exact tone and appearance may vary depending on the practitioner and their personalized techniques, like all magic. The greatest of holy magi have been defined by their bravery, willingness for self-sacrifice, and their keen judgement. They search beyond themselves in intense meditation to find the right path, and often have the courage to make the difficult decisions.
Unlike many other schools of magic, Holy can differentiate friend from foe. While a flame may be uncompromising in who it burns, the rays of light of a practitioner of the Light will only purge enemies.
A practitioner of holy magic doesn't guarantee morale supremacy however, and even experienced users have been known to commit great atrocities in eyes of many. Some of the most remarkable practitioners have been uncompromising crusaders working for the ambitions of their kingdom and ruler, as loyalty to a nation and ideal is a drive that rivals any other.
Techniques
There are many different branches that a person can focus on and specialize in. At the basic level some common lessons in learning holy magic are object reinforcement, where the student is instructed to fill the invisible gaps in a solid object and strengthen the density, to strengthen it. This takes a skilled hand and experience as finding the right balance is important less the target of choice is shattered and overpowered by the surge of mana. Meditation is also sometimes suggested, to enter a deep, relaxed state and reach out to the ever flowing leylines of the lifestream and find harmony within the natural order. Practical practice might involve a hostage: having a student protect an 'assassination target' from an assailant, for instance.
Some rarer, more advanced applications of the holy arts are as follows:
- Purification: From meditative practices that involve dispelling negative emotions and energies from the user to exorcising corrupt spirits.
- Harmonic Attunement: The ability to attune to the lifestream and fully harmonize with the natural order, gaining a visible aurora that manifests it in protection and empowerment.
- True Sight: The ability to see beyond the physical and peer into fate's wheel itself, to spot the weak points in an enemy's attack and counter effectively, for example.
- Barriers: Magical barriers that are able to protect the user from harm, whether it's a curse or a direct magic attack. These empowered, focused shields are the mark of an especially advanced combatant.
- Visions: To see into the distant future, murky as it is, often of a coming danger that the person is unprepared for. The ability of foresight is an extremely rare and often troublesome gift.
- Accelerated Healing: The body might heal itself at an accelerated rate, aided by the Light. A wound that may take a month could heal in a week.
- Combination Magic: Weaving the Light with an element, such as Holy Fire and Holy Lightning.