Thascien Magic

[B]How Thascien Magic Works[/B] It's a terrifying and insidious form of magic that Vecna has cultivated, stemming directly from his domain over secrets, forbidden knowledge, and the ultimate truth of existence. It is also tied to the Cats of Ultharr who discover and hoard knowledge and secrets.   Thascien magic is not based on arcane formulas, divine faith, or primal forces. Instead, it draws its power directly from [B]secrets themselves[/B]. Every unspoken truth, every hidden thought, every forgotten memory, every unknown fact about the multiverse, and especially every vulnerability or hidden aspect of a creature, acts as a conduit for Thascien magic.   It's powered by the act of [B]knowing and manipulating hidden truths[/B]. The more profound, dangerous, or personally devastating a secret is, the greater the power a Thascien magic user can potentially wield.   Here are its key mechanics and characteristics:   [list] [*] [B]Secrets as Fuel:[/B] Unlike spell slots or components, the primary fuel for Thascien magic is [B]information that is concealed or unknown[/B]. This can range from a minor personal secret to a universal cosmic truth that has been suppressed. [*] [B]Targeting Weaknesses:[/B] Thascien magic excels at exploiting vulnerabilities. By knowing a target's secret fear, a hidden shame, or an unknown weakness, the magic bypasses conventional defenses. This is why many Thascien spells directly target saving throws tied to mental faculties (Wisdom, Intelligence, Charisma) or inflict psychic damage, as they directly assault the mind and its hidden depths. [*] [B]Unveiling and Compelling:[/B] Many Thascien spells revolve around: [list] [*] [B]Extraction:[/B] Ripping secrets from a creature's mind, often leaving them damaged or catatonic. [*] [B]Compulsion:[/B] Forcing creatures to reveal truths or act against their will based on their hidden fears or desires. [*] [B]Foresight:[/B] Gaining knowledge of future events by understanding the hidden causal links between actions. [*] [B]Corruption:[/B] Tainting objects or places with hidden, insidious energies that slowly unravel reality or minds. [/list] [*] [B]The Price of Knowledge:[/B] Wielding Thascien magic is inherently dangerous, even for Vecna's followers. The very act of delving into such forbidden truths can corrupt the caster's mind, body, and soul. They might suffer from madness, physical decay, or become obsessed with uncovering more secrets, leading to their own downfall. This reflects Vecna's ultimate goal: to consume all knowledge and thus all power, even at the cost of his own humanity. [*] [B]Beyond Conventional Magic:[/B] Thascien magic often ignores or bypasses resistances and immunities to other magic types, as it operates on a different, more fundamental level of reality – the truths and falsehoods that underpin existence. It's not just a spell effect; it's a manipulation of reality through revealed information. [*] [B]The Whispers of Vecna:[/B] For those who truly master it, Thascien magic allows direct connection to Vecna's vast network of spies, cultists, and the collective "secret-sense" he possesses. This can manifest as receiving whispered insights, seeing through the eyes of his minions, or even calling upon his direct, albeit subtle, influence. [/list]   In essence, Thascien magic is the ultimate tool for a master of secrets. It doesn't just cast a spell; it [I]unweaves[/I] reality by knowing its deepest, most hidden truths.   It is only now being discovered how Vecna erased all knowledge, for the most part, about the Spellweaver and their plans. This secret only survived in a few places Vecna could not control, including a certain god of death.