Transcendental Arts

The systems of knowledge and practice that revolve around manipulating reality utilizing the jtimbic energy of the Astatoma, through the creation of stoma in the Veil are called the transcendental arts. This is a broad category, including within it many different practices and avenues of study, some of which have existed in some form for millenia   Prior to the Age of Idealism, these traditions were disparate and closely connected to specific cultural practices. However, in the late 1100s and through the 1200s, the transcendental arts became scientificized as part of a broader trend towards rationalism during the Age of Idealism. The scientific and philosophical framework of Gnosticism became the predominant lens through which the transcendental arts are studied and practiced, though plenty of cultural practices still exist across Duurn.

Gnosticism

Modern transcendental arts are heavily influenced by Gnosticism, a framework that looks at transcendental mechanisms through a scientific lens. Broadly, the goal of gnosticism is to find better ways to shape reality, with the hypothetical peak of this ability being a state of gnosis, where an individual practitioner could become able to rewrite the rules of reality. Within the Gnostic framework, there are three broad categories of shaping reality.   Thaumaturgy is the art of shaping Astatora directly, often through extensive practice and study of metaphysics. Often, this art is seen as the most scholarly, with the stereotype of wizened eccentrics holed up with a library full of books. However, many non-scholastic practitioners are also considered to be thaumaturges, though they also undergo extensive practice in their arts. The real criteria is that a thaumaturge does not draw their ability from another entity or require anything except their own will to practice their art.   Mechanurgy is the art of manipulating reality through the creation of conduits, objects capable of warping reality. The term invokes images of industrial machines, which in the modern age is often true. However, as long as a practitioner is creating external objects that perform the act of distorting the Veil and warping reality, they are practicing Mechanurgy.   Theurgy is the art of manipulating reality through power granted by another entity, often a god. The abilities of theurges vary wildly, between patrons or even individuals, making it very difficult to pin down a comprehensive defintion. The practice of one theurge could functionally look like thaumaturgy, while another looks entirely different. Many do not consider theurgy to be a Gnostic art, as it does not come from study and individual will.

Mysticism

Cultural practices of the non-Gnostic transcendental arts are often broadly categorized as "mysticism," sometimes pejoratively. However, there are as many variations of this as there are cultures of Duurn, if not more, and finding a better term is nearly impossible. Many of these practices are highly ritualized, as they were practiced and taught through experimentation and direct instruction, without the ability to directly measure or observe Astatora.

Mechanics of the Arts

In order to warp reality, practitioners of the arts must create a stoma in the Veil, either using their own willpower or by some other means. These stoma are typically small enough that they have little effect on their own, unless the practitioner miscalculates or makes a mistake, which is not as uncommon as people would like. As Astatora seeps through the stoma, the practitioner shapes and directs it, either with their will or the workings of a conduit. Then, they close the stoma.