Veils of Marus

Overview

When Caydon Rel ascended to become the Lord of Magic on Marus, one of his great miracles was the creation of the Veils of Marus. A metaphysical aura that was woven into the being of every Sophont in the Realm of Seas; this magical shroud grows to envelope a Sophont's Soul, drawing in Primal Elements from their surroundings, and slowly preparing their bodies as they age to harness the magic of Marus. When a Sophont reaches maturity, they may finally learn to manipulate, control, and develop an intimate understanding of this Veil's most inner workings.

I give to you all a shield with which your soul will finally be safe... A tool with which you may build a better future... A weapon with which you strike down the mighty... I give you a Veil to shroud your soul, bear your identity, and give purpose to your Path. I give you the power to change your fate.
— Excerpt from the Words of Rel

These would-be Gifted come about when individuals consciously absorb the potent energies found within one of the Realm's Natural Treasures. These pure sources of unbridled power warp both the Gifted and their Veils as they gain influence over Primal Elements and the subtle fundamental forces they command on Marus. Gifted that adjust to their unique slurry's powers will inevitably develop some degree of control over their Veils and a deeper understanding of the powerful currents held within them. Those who train their will and spirit will find that their Veil becomes like clay in their artist's hands; its inner powers being shaped into Workings born of imagination and their command over the Primal Elements through common Techniques. Thus, a Path to Power is born, and another Gifted treks toward the pinnacle.

The Gifted, commonly known as the Tidebreaker, rose her pruned hands and brought forth the full might of her Path. A Veil rose from her like a surging wave of bluish-black water, vast and swirling with unseen currents. The moldering scent of drying tidal pools filled the air alongside the sound of tinkling seashells. Those watching the awe-inspiring display felt the air grow cold and tasted fresh springwater on their lips as their savior completed her Workings. Her fury took the form of a Maker Technique, a massive serpent of Primal Ice, Shadow, and Water that crashed against the vile... thing... that emerged from the water's depths.
— Observations of the Tidebreaker's Defense of Calisto City, Bronzed Gifted

There are 2 secrets on this page.

General Information

The manifestation of a Veil accompanies all acts of magic performed by a Gifted and is made of a series of subtle physical traits. These unique magical fingerprints touch upon the senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch of everything under its magical influence.

Veil Wounds

Some wounds strike deeper than mere flesh and bone on Marus. Truly detrimental injuries will attack at the very Soul and may leave scars upon the Veil that protects it. These Veil Wounds may be rare, but they drastically affect a Gifted's future advancement in every case and may even be a lasting setback to their Path to Power. There are very few ways to heal these grievous injuries fully, and time is often the only means of recovering what was lost.

Veil Echoes

When a Sophont dies on Marus, their Soul does not pass over into a Divine Domain as on many other Realms. Their Veil instead turns inward and consumes their Soul in a process that can take up to several hours. At its end, a creature known as a Veil Echo is born. This being of pure magic is created from the identity, emotions, and history that remain after it consumes a Sophont. These magical entities may still possess some level of intelligence, a personal drive, and even some latent fears. Yet, these creatures are often imperfect reflections of their living selves and driven to violent madness by their sudden metamorphosis.

Veil Control

The measure of a Gifted's ability to command and control their Veil along its associated Primal Elements and their Concepts is known as their Veil Control. The young and the newly Gifted are often taught that their Veils are like a muscle that will only improve with the most diligent and studious training. Those who apply themselves will inevitably find that their Veil Control has evolved into a tool that allows them to express their creativity freely. It is the most vital skill to push a Path to Power through to the pinnacle of the Relic Arts.

Veil Contests

When two or more Gifted wish to handle things non-violently, it is not uncommon for their Veils to wrestle for supremacy. These contests act as a measure of a Gifted’s innate strengths, level of control, and their overall rank through a powerful projection of their Path to Power. Victory is only attained in a Veil Contest when one side has utterly overwhelmed the other. These play a pivotal role in Marus' cultures as the primary method for resolving common disputes, identifying unfamiliar individuals, and enforcing civil order. Thus, the strong rule over the weak; for the power of rank is king on Marus.

Veil Suppression

When a Gifted becomes Ironed, their Veil reaches a powerful density now capable of temporarily subsuming the Veils of others. Through a successful Veil Contest, they may suppress another Gifted's ability to effectively wield their Veil. A Suppressed Gifted is unable to cycle the Primal Elements through their body and is thus incapable of using the Relic Arts. These effects persist as long as the Gifted maintains their concentration or until their opponent can successfully shove off the yoke of their suppression.

Realmhopping to Marus is required to know this secret.

Developing a Veil is required to know this secret.

Comments

Author's Notes

I took a lot of inspiration from the xianxia genre when developing the magic on Marus. I wanted the people of Marus to have a dense core of power that draws in energy from the surroundings to grow. A Veil is like a muscle or a balloon, growing bigger and bigger as a Gifted advances.

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