Pleroma
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The Pleroma is a context word used to describe a specific fashion of supernatural techniques that revolve around the manipulation of the spirit. The study of Pleroma is undertaken by Æon warriors, who can focus their minds to provoke either internal techniques, manipulating their own spirit, or external techniques, which is the manipulation of others' spirits. Although there are no confines or specific 'spells' within the study of Pleroma, there are many tried-and-testing techniques that can be passed down to others, including the passing of one's spiritual energy into an Æon warrior's weapon, the Ruhand.
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Theory
What is it?
Pleroma is a term used to describe the manipulation of spiritual energy, much like a magickal source. It is considered that all living things have a spirit and it is this spirit that can be manipulated or directed by those trained or simply able. It is used much in the same way a magick for many and even applied in many similar ways. Although Pleroma does not have specific properties, it can be manipulated in certain ways to produce the same constant effect. This makes its usage, function and teaching much easier for those that wield it. Generally it is split into two styles, internal and external techniques. The internal techniques are the manipulation of the inner spirit, the spirit of the 'caster'. This takes a great deal of personal confidence and awareness of one's place in the universe. If someone doesn't fully "know themselves" then they are at risk of misusing their own spiritual energy, which can result in serious injury. External is the easier of the two in many cases. It is the manipulation of others' spiritual energy, be they sentient, animal or plant. However there are some external techniques that are difficult to perform, including healing.
Broader Concept
The Æon, who are the main practitioners of Pleroma, believe that Pleroma is the true source for all beliefs in 'higher powers', including 'Mother Nature', 'God' or even 'chaos'. It can be considered as the 'backbone' of life, or perhaps life itself. Existence, however, is something different because the universe would continue to exist without life.
Schola Usage
Pleroma is not a "main stay" of the Schola canon, but rather it is solely used by the characters relating to the Sirina Galaxy and the Æon. This means that everything in the main Schola world does not necessarily abide by the rules of the Pleroma system, yet it may still be victim to it should a player determine to use Pleroma as a power.
Internal Techniques
Agility
This is a standard technique taught to all young Æon initiates. It is the increase of their physical agility and general movements by increasing the agility of their spiritual being, which the body then imitates and increases in agility too. This is often taught via daily obstacle courses for new initiates, starting very young. By the time they reach their teens, this is a subconscious skill that will kill in during moments of sudden exertion. It allows the body to enter states that a normal body may not normally be able to do with such ease.
Concealment
Pleroma Concealment
Since most Æon use Pleroma Sense to detect things around them, an early technique taught to all Æon is the Pleroma Concealment. This allows an Æon to disguise their spiritual presence, either dulling it or, for those skilled enough, blanking it out completely. This is often taught as a training skill to increase initiates' internal Pleroma control. This can be extended to include other tell-tale signs, such as heat signatures, scent and even audio.
Physical Concealment
This takes Pleroma Concealment a step further by also concealing the physical presence. An Æon will become entirely invisible, especially when applied along with the concealment of Pleroma, audio, heat and scent signatures. This can make an Æon a silent infiltrator. However this is a technique only achieved by some of the most skilled and powerful Æon.
Energy Manipulation
Energy Absorption
This is the manipulation of the internal Pleroma to absorb incoming energy. This can range from standard energy sources like heat or light to unusual energies like plasma or magick. However once absorbed this energy must be released straight away else the Æon is likely to explode from the influx of additional energy within their spiritual form. When released it can take on any other form through Energy Conversion, or take on the original form and be redirected. Many Æon learn to use this skill along with an immediate response to expel the consumed energy as heat through the skin. This talent can even become a subconscious reaction, instantly transferring the absorbed energy into heat without effort or distraction. This can be useful when using Energy Absorption in battle.
Energy Conversion
Whilst Energy Conversion can change absorbed energy into another state, it doesn't have to be absorbed at all. This is the changing of an energy's state into another, normally the more mundane energies such as heat or light. This can be useful to warm up during cold periods or cast out light through darkness. It is the internal spiritual energy that alters the energy sources around it. Only a powerful energy source can become another powerful energy source, such as a magickal blast can become blistering beam of light.
Deflection Shield
This can be a useful trick during battles. An invisible sphere around the Æon will deflect all incoming energy sources. This is not a directed return, however, and often the incoming energy will simply bounce into the air or ground. This can include kinetic energy, so projectiles will hit the invisible barrier and simply fall to the ground. This sphere, however, requires regular concentration and can be dangerous to maintain in a sustained battle. Mostly it is useful for escape or as a temporary measure.
Internal Telekinesis
Objects
A staple for any Æon, the ability to move an object. Since objects, like rocks or machines, do not have spiritual energy within them, an Æon must focus his own internal Pleroma to manipulate it through telekinesis. A common mistake that younger initiates make it to constantly try to manipulate object via External Telekinesis. Telekinesis over smaller objects is something taught to all Æon, and whilst they are still encouraged to continue learning this trait it often takes the most powerful of Æon to manipulate larger structures. It is said that Maven Tehl is capable of manipulating an entire capital ship.
Self
Manipulation of the internal Pleroma and directed at oneself allows an Æon to telekinetically move themselves, often being dubbed as "flight". This is a highly advanced technique used only by the most skilled of Æon with a focus on internal techniques. Some minor forms can be seen, such as a sudden blast of internal Pleroma to push themselves away at a rapid speed, however these do not compare to the level of skill and power needed for "flight".
Meditation
Meditation is an early skill learnt by Æon initiates. It is designed to focus the mind, calm it and increase concentration. It is also the first internal Pleroma technique all Æon learn, allowing them their first 'feel' of spiritual energy. Using Pleroma in this state can allow an Æon to last up to several days without food, water, sleep or even air. It is not something that can be sustained for much longer than a week, however, as the body starts to "catch up" on its needs. After a long period of meditation an Æon will often need to 'binge' on food, drink and sleep.
Pleroma Manifestation
Spiritual Ascension
This is a high level technique that few master. It is the transcendence from the physical realm into the spiritual. The body dematerialises and the Æon becomes entirely spiritual, able to move through the cosmos within an instant. However time also passes by much faster and it can be an incredibly dangerous technique to use. It is believed that Maven Tehl performed this technique and chose to test its limits. He reappeared one-hundred years later. This is not a technique to be used for stealth as the moment would pass by too quickly, however it can allow an Æon to transport across the entire universe in the blink of an eye, yet in real-time several months would have passed by him simply being in this state.
Spiritual Manifestation
This can only be learnt by those who already understand Spiritual Ascension. This is a technique that allows an Æon to return from the dead as a spiritual manifestation. To pull off this trick, however, an Æon must concentrate on it and, therefore, they must be prepared for death. If an Æon dies without being ready, he cannot become an Spiritual Manifestation.
Pleroma Sense
One of the most standard tools of an Æon, this allows them to sense the world around them without relying upon their standard primary senses. This is a kind of "extra sense", able to read the Pleroma of all living creatures around them and, even, able to identify the absence of Pleroma and therefore the object. This includes a general acknowledgement of the microscopic creatures in the air, which is what allows them to identify absences of Pleroma in objects. Although accurate to a point of being able to tell the difference between a dog and a cat, it could not allow an Æon to identify a presence specifically.
Precognition
Predictability
This is a precognition technique taught to all Æon initiates. It is a subconscious trait that helps them determine the very near future without actually seeing it with their mind's eye. This is a natural aid to their Agility, allowing an Æon a huge advantage in combat exercises. An Æon can respond accordingly to many standard attacks in ways that may often seem impossible.
Future Vision
This is an advanced precognition technique that requires a great deal of focus and concentration, normally started by Meditation. It allows an Æon to see the most probable future events with a lot of clarity and, normally, accuracy. An Æon can 'search time' at will, able to see various probable future events. However they can only see the future and not the past.
Ruhand
One of the earliest techniques taught to an Æon initiate is how to extend their own internal Pleroma to the world beyond themselves. This is done through the use of an Æon's most prized and famous weapon; the Ruhand. The Ruhand itself is merely a hilt designed to channel the internal Pleroma of the Æon holding it. From the Ruhand will spring a beam of pure spiritual energy. This energy will always appear silver for an initiate, however once they have matured into an adult, the colour will change to reflect the personality of that matured internal Pleroma.
Speed
This allows an Æon to travel at an incredible speed, whilst the world around them seems to slow down almost to a stand-still. It is a fairly high-end power and can be used to cover much ground in a very short span of time. Like with many Æon techniques it can be used to varying degrees of skill. The lower end of this technique is a common technique for all Æon, allowing them to run and move faster than normal through a battle, however it takes a very skilled Æon to master true speeds with this technique.
Translation
One of the rarer internal techniques is Translation, which allows an Æon to manipulate their internal spiritual energy to translate foreign languages into words they would understand. This works on a mental level and, in many ways, can be considered the internal variation of Mental State manipulation. This means an Æon with this skill can be invaluable on alien worlds.
External Techniques
Healing
Internal Physical Healing
Internal Physical Healing is one of the most difficult Pleroma techniques to master, requiring a minimal amount of precise Pleroma application to manipulate sensitive internal organs. In the hands of a skilled healer, a person can be brought back from the brink of death. This internal healing works by committing a search of the target's own Pleroma, tracing its internal contours and outlines. This means a body can be healed without ever breaking the skin. It is almost impossible for an Æon to heal their own internal injuries as it takes the deepest concentration to focus upon reading a Pleroma's internal contours.
External Physical Healing
Significantly easier to perform than Internal Physical Healing, External Physical Healing is taught to all young Æon initiates. Though this skill would only extend as far as deep cuts or burns. At truly skilled healer could reattach limbs, fix large gashes or even heal inflicted blindness.
Mental Healing
This is a very rare Æon technique that involves a skill similar to a Mind Probe, allowing the healer to access the mind, locate the damaged areas and attempt to heal. This is still an unrefined technique and has a greater rate of failure than success. It can, however, normally locate the problem, allowing a more gradual healing process to begin.
External Telekinesis
External Telekinesis is unlike the Internal Telekinesis as it cannot affect objects. Objects do not have any spiritual energy to manipulate and therefore require that the Æon extend their own Pleroma to manipulate the object. External Telekinesis allows an Æon to manipulate the Pleroma of a living thing, such as a plant, animal or person. This is normally simply done by throwing the target with this telekinesis, however it can be used in much more serious ways if properly honed, including causing another target to fly, manipulate someone like a 'rag-doll', choke them, crush them, or even tear their bodies apart. Whilst throwing enemies with External Telekinesis is considered good practice, many stray away from the more violent uses of this technique due to ethics taught by the Æon Orders.
Mental State
Basic Emotions
The manipulation of the mind is a fairly advanced technique that often requires physical connection of the internal Æon Pleroma with the external target. Basic emotional manipulation can be learnt by advanced Æon with specialisation in external techniques. It can be used to induce happiness, sadness, enthusiasm or encouragement. Often it can be useful in cheering others up, or inducing a fighting spirit. It is, however, often deemed unethical to use this technique on those considered "friends" by the Æon user.
Fear
One of the more advanced emotions that can be affected is fear, often taking a highly adept or powerful Æon to produce this sensation in a person. This can be inflicted so that the target fears all or it can be directed so that the target fears a specific icon, including the Æon himself. This can be useful in avoiding conflicts, or can be abused to force someone into the Æon's will. This fear normally only lasts a period of time, however regular application of this emotion will result in the permanent fixture of fear.
Love
Similar to Fear, Love is a highly advanced emotional state that is not easily manipulated. It is known that many young, desperate and foolish Æon have tried to learn this technique in order to gain the affection of their heart's desire only to find it impossible to learn. Like Fear the manipulation of Love would only last for a period of time before the target was released, yet regular application can leave the target in a permanent state. This can normally only be directed at a specific target as no person in truly able to "love all".
Taming
Taming is a common technique used by Æon on animals. However it is not always successful and depends highly on the emotional state of the creature it is used on and the domesticatability of it. A large lumbering beast, similar to a cow or elephant, is easily tamed through this mental manipulation, whilst creatures like a tiger or hyena is much more difficult. Fear in an animal is the easiest negative state to calm and therefore tame a beast, however aggression or despair is much more difficult, if not impossible. This can also depend on the intelligence of the creature, the more intelligent the less likely they are to respond to mental Taming.
Mind Probe
Memory Read
Mind Probes are often difficult to perform and will normally need an Æon to have their own internal Pleroma in contact with the external target. Memory Read is the easiest of all Mind Probes to perform, accessing the mind of the target and reading their memories. These memories will appear to the Æon like images or videos. Once in it is easy for an Æon to locate any specific information they require unless the target resists by thinking of others things, producing a mental storm that can be hard to decypher.
Memory Change
Much more difficult than a Memory Read is the Memory Change, which can be initialised in much the same way as a Memory Read. Once in a state of "reading" the memories can be changed by manipulating the Pleroma of the target. This can be useful in forcing someone to forget a memory or believe something entirely different. However a Memory Change tends to have a certain lifespan before the target begins to recover and question these inserted memories, however the length of time varies greatly from months to years.
Mind Control
Mind Control is the most advanced Mind Probe of all and is often only used by the most advanced of Æon. Though initial contact is normally needed, once the Mind Control is in place, the target will act on their own without further input from the Æon. This is considered a highly unethical practice by almost all Æon Orders and is a technique most commonly only used by Rogue Æon.
Pleroma Tear
By far the most advanced external technique of all Æon and also the most debated, the Pleroma Tear is the literal tearing of a target's spirit from their physical body, rendering them instantly dead. This is a highly difficult technique to master and many believe it should be completely illegal regardless of intended application; however many argue the Ruhand is just as deadly when used on an unsuspecting and defenceless victim. Pleroma Tear can be useful for many obvious reasons, yet difficult to master and especially to perform without the internal Pleroma of the Æon contacting the external Pleroma of the target.
Restriction
This is a fairly advanced external technique that allows an Æon to bind a living target. This normally causes the target to appear frozen or in stasis, stuck in one spot, one pose, for however long the Æon can maintain their concentration upon them. It is a technique that cannot become subconscious and must have constant maintenance. Whilst in this state the target is 'beyond time', not needing food or water or air and never ageing. A dangerous target may be held captive in this state by shift-taking Æon, for an extended period of time.
Stun
Daze
This is a simple external Pleroma technique that causes a target to fall into a temporary daze. Confused and nauseous, the target will likely feel some after-affects for some time following the casting of the technique. This affect is caused by the manipulation of the target's Pleroma around their vestibular system (sense of balance), which can feel like a sharp 'hit' to the target.
Unconscious
This is a little more advanced than the Daze technique, however it is also commonly applied by Æon using Healing techniques so that they might more easily concentrate on the target. It is largely safe for the target, rendering them unconscious without any lingering negative affects. In time the target will wake up by themselves, though an Æon may also rouse the target themselves by manipulating the Pleroma again.
Torture
Torture is another Æon technique often considered unethical by the Æon Orders. It is the manipulation of a target's Pleroma to cause physical pain, which often leads to mental damage too. This form of torture leaves no physical wounds upon the body as it is the Pleroma of the target being manipulated. If an Æon does use this technique, it is almost always as a means of extracting information, unless the Æon in question is particularly sadistic or simply cruel. However it is often deemed pointless as many more Æon are capable of performing a Mind Probe than Torture.
Non-Schola Example
As it was essentially the basis for Pleroma, the most obvious comparison to make is the Force from the Star Wars franchise. Whilst the Pleroma has been very much reworked and individualised, the core fundamental 'magick' is there, as are the kinds of techniques used by both.
Relevant Characters
Player Characters & Other Major Characters
Ffion Heul
- Main article: Ffion Heul
Ffion Heul is an Æon initiate, warriors capable of altering the spirit of themselves and others. They call this spirit Pleroma. Heul is an initiate of the Order of Pneumata, an organisation devoted to the study of Pleroma techniques, under the tutelage of Maven Tehl, along with Kokoro Lymn. The two initiates are considered 'closer than siblings', though the aloof nature of their master has caused a distinct rivalry between the two for his attention and acceptance. As the final part of their training, the Æon initiates are tasked with 'seeking adventure' and a worthy cause. In this the duo found themselves in the employ of Skrai and his Multiverse-spanning domain known as The Imperium.
Kokoro Lymn
- Main article: Kokoro Lymn
Kokoro Lymn is an Æon initiate, warriors capable of altering the spirit of themselves and others. They call this spirit Pleroma. Lymn is an initiate of the Order of Pneumata, an organisation devoted to the study of Pleroma techniques, under the tutelage of Maven Tehl, along with Ffion Heul. The two initiates are considered 'closer than siblings', though the aloof nature of their master has caused a distinct rivalry between the two for his attention and acceptance. As the final part of their training, the Æon initiates are tasked with 'seeking adventure' and a worthy cause. In this the duo found themselves in the employ of Skrai and his Multiverse-spanning domain known as The Imperium.
Non-Player Characters & Associated Characters
Maven Tehl
- Main article: Maven Tehl
Maven Tehl is the master of Ffion Heul and Kokoro Lymn. He is an Æon of the Order of Pneumata, an organisation dedicated to the study of Pleroma. Maven Tehl is renowned for being aloof towards his initiates, however he judges this good practice as it sparks competition between the children to strive to excel to gain his attention and outdo one another in an effort to gain favour. He was involved in many battles throughout the Multiverse and is subsequently very well-travelled. He is considered one of the most talented masters of the Order he belongs to due to his skill at teaching and passing on knowledge of Pleroma. He has one of the highest track records for successful graduations of initiates to fully-fledged Æon.
Author Notes
TBA
