Excerpt from a 'Awakened Explored' by Aria T. Hobs
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Awakened is an umbrella term used to classify any living creature that possesses the ability to sense, manipulate, and store spiritual matter—most commonly manacules—in some way, shape, or form.
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PROPERTIES
Awakened can belong to any species, from humanoids to mana beasts, and even extra-dimensional creatures like Fae or demons. This diversity makes defining and describing the biothaumical processes challenging. For simplicity, this document will focus on humanoid Awakened, including humans, elves, dwarves, and similar species.
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BIOTHAUMICAL ORGANS
All Awakened are born with specialized biothaumical organs known as Mana Organs. These organs can vary greatly depending on the race or species of the Awakened. However, humanoids and most mana beasts share three specific types of mana organs:
1. Mana Channels: Responsible for the input and output of manacules and mana.
2. Mana Veins: Serve as the primary internal transportation system for spiritual matter, such as mana or aura, within the Awakened.
3. Mana Core: A multifunctional organ that typically handles storage, refinement of spiritual matter, and, in humanoids and some mana beasts, aura generation.
Together, these organs form the Mana Circulation System, which is vital for the functionality of the Awakened.
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ARCANOCEPTION
Arcanoception, colloquially known as "mana sense," is what sets Awakened apart from their non-magical counterparts and is inarguably the most important ability of any Awakened, no matter the race or species.
Arcanoception is a thaumic sense that all Awakened—even Quasi-Awakened—unlock. It allows for the perception of mana and manacules both in the environment and within the Awakened's body. Unlike other senses, arcanoception is not tied to a physical sensory organ but instead originates entirely from one's soul. Mana sense works by the soul sensing disturbances in environmental mana caused by the constant input and output of mana from all living creatures. It can be likened to echolocation.
Arcanoception is often somehow tied into one of the more mundane senses. For example, elves may be able to hear mana.
While arcanoception is the most common thaumic sense, other rarer senses exist. However, arcanoception remains the most basic and universal among the Awakened.
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AWAKENING PROCESS
Awakening is the process through which an individual gains the ability to interact with spiritual matter. For humanoids, this typically occurs during early adolescence. The process can be dangerous and, if improperly executed or interrupted, may lead to severe or even lethal consequences.
CULTURAL CEREMONIES
Many societies mark the Awakening with elaborate ceremonies. For example:
* Elves might hold forest rituals to honor nature’s role in the Awakening.
* Dwarves forge mana-infused artifacts as a rite of passage.
* Humans may undergo individual or group trials to test their newfound abilities.
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EFFECTS OF AWAKENING
Awakening has significant biothaumical effects, including:
* Enhanced Natural Lifespan: The degree of enhancement varies based on magical skill, talent, genetics, race, species, and other environmental influences.
* Improved Physical and Spiritual Capabilities: Enhanced strength, speed, and durability are common physical effects. Spiritually, mana reserves and aura generation become accessible.
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AFFINITIES
Affinity refers to an Awakened individual’s ability to refine and manipulate specific thaumic elements.
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* Genetic and Environmental Influences: Affinities are primarily determined by genetics but can also be influenced by prolonged exposure to specific elements before or during Awakening.
* Single or Multiple Affinities: Most Awakened possess at least one affinity. However, the rare few may develop multiple affinities, which can indicate exceptional talent, though this does not necessarily have to be the case.
The highest recorded number of affinities belonged to the First Sage, who could manipulate all seven basic elements.
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CLASSIFICATIONS
Humanoid Awakened are categorized into Types and Archetypes.
TYPES
1. Augmenters: Specialized in utilizing their mana veins to enhance physical capabilities.
2. Emitters: Focused on using their mana channels to project mana externally.
3. Ambimancers: Capable of effectively utilizing both mana veins and mana channels.
While these classifications are not mutually exclusive, an individual’s proficiency may lean more heavily toward one Type. For instance, an Augmenter may still be able to perform emitter-specific magic to a lesser degree.
ARCHETYPES
Archetypes are specialized classifications that depend on an individual’s race, genetics, and other factors. Some notable Archetypes include:
* Pyromancer: Innately aligned with the Fire element.
* Aquamancer: Innately aligned with the Water element.
* Geomancer: Innately aligned with the Earth element.
* Aeromancer: Innately aligned with the Air element.
* Photomancer: Innately aligned with the Light element.
* Noctimancer: Innately aligned with the Dark element.
* Kineticist: Innately aligned with the Force element.
* Cryomancer: Innately attuned to Ice, a deviant element of Water.
* Terramancer: Innately attuned to seismic and metal manipulation within Earth elements.
* Shifter: Capable of altering their physical form in some way.
* Druid: Innately attuned to the Life element.
* Elematurge: Innately attuned to unique Arcane elements.
* Animancer: Able to see and interact with souls through soul vision.
* Empath/Psionic: Capable of manipulating emotions and thoughts.
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QUASI-AWAKENED
Quasi-Awakened, colloquially referred to as "Quirkies," are individuals who, for various reasons, are not fully Awakened. Potential causes include:
* Genetic Anomalies: Inherited mutations affecting the Mana Circulation System.
* Injuries: Trauma during or before the Awakening process.
* Environmental Factors: Exposure to unstable mana fields.
TRAITS AND LIMITATIONS
* Partial mana-sensing abilities.
* Physical weakness due to incomplete Mana Circulation Systems.
UNIQUE ROLES
Quasi-Awakened individuals often find themselves in niche roles, such as:
* Resistant to Mana Poisoning: Due to incomplete mana systems.
SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES
The status of Quasi-Awakened varies by culture. Some societies revere them as "touched by the gods," while others see them as cursed or flawed individuals.