EXCERPT FROM 'MAGICAL MISFITS: QUASI-AWAKENED EXPLORED' BY T. H. MALWIN
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DEFINITION
Quasi-Awakened, colloquially referred to as "Quirkies," are individuals who, for a variety of reasons, are not fully awakened. As a result, they only possess access to some of the capabilities typically associated with fully awakened individuals.
CAUSES
The state of being quasi-awakened can arise from various causes, including:
* Genetics: Certain hereditary traits or mutations can prevent full awakening.
* Mana Retention Deficiency Syndrome (MRDS): A genetic disorder that manifests in different forms but ultimately results in the inability to store mana in the mana core. MRDS is one of the most common causes of quasi-awakening.
* Injuries: Physical or thaumaturgic injuries sustained before or during the awakening process can lead to incomplete development.
* Environmental Factors: Exposure to insufficient mana-rich environments or disruptive thaumaturgic forces during critical stages of awakening.
* Race and Species Variations: Some races or species may naturally lack the necessary components for full awakening.
CAPABILITIES
While not fully awakened, Quirkies exhibit access to some awakened abilities, which can manifest in diverse ways. Examples include:
1. Physical Enhancements: Temporary or limited increases in strength, speed, or endurance.
2. Sensory Augmentation: Enhanced senses such as:
* True-Seers: Improved sight, including limited arcanoception.
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* Echo-Hearers: Sharpened hearing, sometimes akin to echolocation.
3. Mana Shaping: Rudimentary ability to shape raw mana into basic constructs or weak protective barriers.
4. Force Magic: Lesser forms of external mana manipulation, such as small-scale telekinesis (pushing, pulling, or minor levitation).
5. Specific Affinities: Rarely, Quirkies may exhibit minor abilities tied to a single elemental affinity, such as a faint ability to generate heat or manipulate water in small quantities.
6. Unstable Abilities: Some Quirkies exhibit abilities that manifest unpredictably, often in brief, uncontrollable bursts.
SOCIETAL ROLE AND CHALLENGES
Despite possessing some level of awakened capabilities, Quirkies occupy a precarious and often marginalized position in society:
* Rejection by Mundane Society: Non-awakened individuals view Quirkies as different or unnatural, often treating them with suspicion or pity.
* Disdain from Fully Awakened: Fully awakened individuals frequently look down upon Quirkies, considering them "incomplete" or "inferior."
* Isolation: This dual rejection mirrors the societal treatment of half-breeds or other marginalized groups, leaving Quirkies without a clear place in either world.
* Occupational Challenges: Many Quirkies struggle to find roles where their abilities are valued. While some find work as scouts, trackers, or mage assistants, others are relegated to menial tasks.
COLLOQUIAL NAMING
The term "Quirkies" originated from the observation that quasi-awakened individuals exhibit peculiar or "quirky" abilities compared to the more systematic powers of the fully awakened. This nickname has been embraced by some as a badge of identity but remains a derogatory term for others.
OUTLOOK
Quirkies continue to face societal challenges, but their unique blend of abilities offers opportunities for integration in specific roles. Scholars and thaumaturgists are also beginning to explore the potential advantages of quasi-awakened states, particularly in fields like mana manipulation and hybridized magic systems, which could reshape their standing in the future.