Dune Mystics

Spiritual Connection: To be a Dune Mystic is never a profession, but instead a calling for only those who are gifted with the power to understand the desert, so that they can know how to respond to it.   Second Sight : While not a requirement, those born with magic eyes can see more than most and can understand better the mysteries of what lies beyond the mortal realm.   Mystic Training: A more experienced Dune Mystic has to teach the next generation the teachings and practices of the sands so that when they pass on, they will be prepared to take up the responsibility.

While the position of a Dune Mystic remains the same throughout their life within their tribe, many will continue to gather knowledge and wisdom to pass on to their apprentice when their time comes for them to take their place. In some cases, however, those who are given a greater purpose will leave their tribe to become Kasheri. Dune Mystics have given the gift to delve into the past itself and learn all they can, become wanderers, and pass down their knowledge to their fellow mystics to ensure a better future.

As individuals of spiritual significance, the desert tribes to which they belong are willing to give their lives to protect them from harm. Even more so when they intervene in various matters of political and social issues, their tribesmen will stop what they are doing to allow their mystic to have their say. Making them one of the most revered individuals in their community, with all of its members doing what they can to aid them in their duties.

Dune Mystics must aid in the survival of their tribe through spiritual methods that exist beyond their reach. It is through them that they can guide their people safely through the desert, and they should guide them when needed, utilizing the counsel and powers at their disposal.

Dune Mystic amongst the desert tribes is held in a position of respect and honor as being the spiritual heart of the community, for all rely upon it. Whenever such guidance is needed, the mystic will be there to give them answers that they seek, if they can.

It is not determined how many Dune Mystics exist in the deserts of the Eastern Lands, but they are often only found there, with few ever venturing towards the cities on the coast or leaving to go beyond them.

Desert's Chosen

  In the time of the Dying Paradise, when the encroaching desert was slowly consuming the Eastern Lands, many of its people chose to flee to the coast to improve their chances of survival as quickly as possible. But not all were so fortunate to make such a journey, nor had the time to prepare, as the desert was already upon them. Many would perish not long after, but some managed to survive by quickly adapting to their new environment and learning the ways of the desert that now surrounded them. This would mark the beginning of the Maruk desert tribes, yet they would not have learned these methods on their own, for they would have learned from the first of the Dune Mystics. These individuals, who were said to have been granted the gift of sight by the dying land to aid its people in their survival, guided the tribes into this harsh new reality.   It was through them that the tribes learned to overcome the dangers of the desert, allowing them to thrive by living their lives with strength and resilience that few could ever achieve in such a hostile place. The mystics would become a central part of their culture, serving as the spiritual leaders of their people, guiding them through the scorching sands and molding them into what they needed to be, so that they could become the survivors they were meant to be. Even as many have forgotten the time of paradise before the desert, the mystics ensure that all knowledge was preserved and passed on to their successors. This has been the way of the mystics since that time and has continued to carry on their sacred duty to ensure the continuation of their tribes as best they can.  

Horrid Vision

  Something has begun to stir in the desert that has brought a great disturbance amongst the Dune Mystics that has never been seen before since the beginning of the desert itself. Many of them have seen the same things over and over again, the desert coming alive and consuming them all, with the chances of survival being nearly impossible. It was because of this vision that a council of many tribes came together to find an answer to their plight, yet few could find the answer. It was then, with a heavy heart, that the mystics asked their people to leave the inner desert and head towards the coast to ensure their survival, before it is too late for them. Now, in this dark moment, many of them have come together to find the solution to this threat to their people, so that in doing so they may find salvation for all of the people of the east from being engulfed by the desert's wrath.

Herbs: Various herbs are gathered wherever they can grow and used to create powders and concoctions to aid in various rituals to enhance the senses.   Animal Remains: Certain parts of an animal are said to have special properties that can grant them special properties that can empower the body and mind.

Tent: The only place where a mystic will truly be found is in their tent with all of their ingredients and concoctions to aid them in practicing their mystic arts. It is often here that they spend their day, surrounded by modest things that bring them comfort and allow them to conduct their spiritual practices. Hanging from ropes and strong are various plants and animal parts to be used in the mystic arts, along with a special fire pit that creates more smoke than flame to keep it burning, to be used to glimpse into time and fate.

Mystic Visions: Dune Mystics can see visions of events and many things if they have the clarity to know the past, present, and future. Yet they are unable to control them as they wish, as they come and go like the wind, with some often hidden in a sandstorm, with only their eyes to focus on whatever they can find.   Fortunetelling: If the conditions are right, a mystic using their power of sight and concoctions can see into someone's future to tell them of what is in store for them for good or worse. Unlike visions, mystics can have more control of what they seek to know as they are intentionally looking for it.   Spirit Journeys : Should a mystic or another seek to search for knowledge and understanding beyond the usual means, they will go on journeys to the world beyond to figure out what they are looking for. Using substances that place them into trance-like states, they can better control their movement to ensure the success of their journey.   Desert Navigation: While many people who live out in the desert have a better understanding of its inner workings, Dune Mystics can connect with it in a way that few people can even imagine. There have been many tales of them being able to sense the arrival of sandstorms, where water can be found, and the presence of others, both man and beast, through vibrations in the sand.   Guides of Wisdom : In many tribes, Dune Mystics are considered to be of a higher authority, mainly stemming from the wisdom that they hold, allowing them to maintain high positions amongst their tribe as advisors, teachers, and judges to aid their people better. It is through them that their people can seek guidance in areas that they have trouble traversing, with some more learned to lead the way.

It is not uncommon for Desert Mystics to fall victim to powers beyond mortal means as they encounter Dark Spirits during their rituals. To eliminate them when in danger, their tribe must resort to drastic measures, as their power may be too great; death is often the inevitable outcome. It is also common for some of their practices of spiritual understanding to cause them to meet an untimely end or never awaken from the substances that they ingest to achieve it. However, when a tribe has too many Dune Mystics, the weakest will be cast out, willing or unwilling, through the challenge known as Ekamet'la, with the loser being forced out into the desert to seek out another tribe or perish in the sands.