Occultist

Occultists have no centralized institution of learning or formal certification to gain recognition. The title is applied to Mercenaries who dabble in Dark magic more than their peers and show aptitude for it immediately. Unlike the Mage or Fighter classes, this is one that cannot be achieved through mere effort alone and requires a unique constitution.   Those talented in Dark magic undergo a ritual to the Great Eye that grants them unnatural sight into the ethereal world. With this ability, they can see the magical and elemental energy of the world freely and draw upon the negative zones that every source of energy emits. The price of this ritual is a cursed body that is often distorted and a severance of aptitude for all other magical disciplines.

This class is considered a type of caster, meaning that they have lower overall stat points and rely on some sort of power or special attack to make an impact on the game. Their highest stat will generally be their hit points, showcasing a strong vitality that allows them to harness magical power.   The general progression of the Occultist shows them reinforcing their mastery over Dark magic through experience. After gaining enough experience, the main promotion of the Occultist is the Hexer. These casters have the ability to turn even small wounds into dangerous injuries that may have lasting effects on the target. Their themes remain focused on the Dark element, and their ability to sacrifice a resource is increased substantially. This particular promotion is theorized to have connections with the ancient Runes of Fate, as the sacrificial abilities of the Hexer produce similar effects to the Runes of Fate but with substantial drawbacks.   Those who stay true to pure Dark magic need to use a Dark Tome to unlock their potential and ascend to the Maleficar. Few sane Tacticians willingly work with a Maleficar; they are masters of the Dark element and can corrupt all that they touch. These casters can remove key resources from enemy units, such as experience points, and disrupt their ability to reach their potential on the battlefield.

The aim of every Occultist is to unlock their potential, often they come from tragic backgrounds or have little connection to the everyday life that others in Otenia enjoy. Instead of seeking fame, fortune, or treasure, they seek power and a way to cultivate their affinity beyond what conventional disciplines can reach.   Those who truly master this profession can rival the power of Fey and Dragons in their own right. This causes no shortage of contention among those creatures, as an Occultist can not only gain significant power but can also slow their aging to a degree not seen among other mortal species.

Occultists are feared if not respected by other Mercenaries. To meet them on the battlefield is to open yourself up to an early end. In particular, Elves and Mages have a fear of the Dark element because of its corrupting powers. Tacticians will contract them for dangerous jobs that involve other powerful casters or journeys into corrupted areas of the world that are rich in Dark energy.   Dragons have a particular disdain for Occultists and will often seek them out to stomp out their influences before they grow too powerful.   Undead are the most likely species to be an Occultist, rather that is the species that most creatures become after becoming an Occultist due to the changes that their bodies undergo.