Vīsìktrū

Essential Form of Body

Vīsìktrū is an old and complicated Form of magic. Within the Dekàli tradition of magic, Vīsìktrū is divided into four sub-Forms: Etèçra, Fuld Eðéres, Ishra, and Ðaldōs.

Some students of Vīsìktrū attempt to learn and master all of these forms, including forms non-canonical. This dilution of study often fails as the Forms vary greatly and often contradict in both principle and practice. The fundamentals of separate Forms often do not support the advanced studies in another. Studies and spells that are common to all Forms are very few.

Ētèçra

Ētèçra is the study of the organic body as an object. The most vulgar of the Vīsìktrū sub-Forms, Ētèçra is used without consideration for natural purpose. If a Channeler wants an Yrūn to sprouts wings, a mūátra Vīsìktrū-ētèçra spell should work nicely. Similar to Halra spells, the Ētèçra sub-Form assumes a great amount about the functioning and interaction of organic components. In the above example, it is unimportant to the Channeler to have an understanding of how wings, shoulders, clavicles, and chest muscles must work in concert to achieve flight; it is only important that the wings that sprout are capable of lifting the creature into the air and to places beyond. For this and other reasons, the Ētèçra sub-Form is considered a guided, or divine magic sub-Form.

Nomenclature: Etechra Dekàlic: Ētèçra (magical form), Ētèçri (pertaining to), Ētèçryn (specialist), Ētèçryr (specialists)

Fuld Eðéres

Fuld Eðéres is the study of the organic body as a vessel for the soul, a concept related to Voradrū. Fuld Eðéres seeks to interpret the mysteries of personality, experience, and destiny based upon the expressions left on the body by the soul and Skein. Practitioners of Fuld Eðéres claim to be able to read palms, scalps, eyes, and other body parts to gain insight into the person’s secrets, problems, and future. Though many charlatans and fortune tellers claim these abilities, the Eðéryr are truly adept in this field. Most Eðéryn have an in-depth understanding of Orádra. Examples may include: orádra Vīsìktrū-fuld eðéres (detect lie), orádra Vīsìktrū-fuld eðéres (detect potential), and mūátra Vīsìktrū-fuld eðéres (prepare homunculus).

Nomenclature: Fuld Etheres Dekàlic: Fuld Eðéres (magical form), Fuld Eðéri (pertaining to), Fuld Eðéryn (specialist), Fuld Eðéryr (specialists)

Ishra

The study of Ishra is derived from an old Vulmùri magic form. Ishra is the study of how magic travels through the body via a network of points called Nyd. Practitioners of this sub-Form concern themselves with the activation of the body’s power points (i.e. Nydur) or the manipulation and direction of magic through the Nyd constellation. Every Nyd in the body has a distinct purpose in addition to being a reservoir of magical energy. In both Dragul and Eylfāe, the Nyd appear to generate magic rather than store it. The secrets of the Nyd constellations (front and back) were discovered and exploited by the Eylfāe in the early Ages. At some point these mysteries were later uncovered by the Dwürden who immediately corrupted them, and employed their use against the Eylfāe. A Nyd that can be stimulated to augment strength, can similarly be occluded to paralyze the victim. Understanding which Nydur controlled which function and what requirements were needed to open, close, and infuse individual points gave Weavers a great deal of power over their targets. Ishra is most commonly practiced by monks and other dedicated scholars due to the detailed knowledge required. Examples may include: mūátra Vīsìktrū-ishra (increase agility) or muátra Vīsìktrū-ishra (reduce strength). Nyd points cannot be destroyed or created without changing the nature of the body (i.e., Nydur of the hand can be removed by cutting off the subject’s hand). The manipulation of Nydur cannot grant a subject supernatural abilities outside the constraints of body type. Example: Ishra magics cannot grant an Yrūn the ability to fly (requires wings) but can boost leaping ability (requires legs).

Nomenclature: Ishra Dekàlic: Ishra (magical form), Ishri (pertaining to), Ishryn (specialist), Ishryr (specialists)

Ðaldōs

Named after a Dekàlyn anatomist, Ðaldōs explores the inter-connectivity of the physical and metaphysical aspects of body. Ðaldōs was a 10th century Arcane magician who created and grafted meta-mechanical “organs” into living subjects to grant them increased abilities and powers. Most infamous of his Ðaldàri was the three-eyed woman, Yzára of Shalvàsal. Having lost her eyes (and much of her face) escaping from a burning theater, Ðaldōs was able to fashion three bulbous bronze eyes and implant them into her skull. Despite her monstrous appearance the “organ” was a success, having granted the blind woman the ability to see normally, into the Ether, and into the Nether. Yzára was subsequently shipped to Ildûn where Ðaldōs’ craftsmanship could be properly admired, with little regard to her swift descent into madness. Contemporary Ðaldōs magics are mostly concerned with natural bodily functions (e.g., heartbeat, breathing, digestion, muscular-motion). Students of the sub-Form not only understand these myriad functions, but also how to manipulate them to further purpose. It should be noted that an “understanding” of a Ðaldōsian function may not have a real-world biological equivalent. For instance, a Ðaldōs Weaving that stimulates healing by accelerating the body’s vital reserves (i.e., ælàmra Vīsìktrū ðaldōs) may work wonderfully, despite there being no real-world “vitality reserve”. Given the knowledge required to perform Ðaldōs magics, it is not surprising that adepts of the sub-Form are sometimes anatomists or chirurgeons. Arcane Weavers of the Ðaldōs sub-Form seldom resort to the guided pathways of Halra.

Nomenclature: Thaldos Dekàlic: Ðaldōs (magical form), Ðaldōsi (pertaining to), Ðaldōsyn (specialist), Ðaldōsyr (specialists)

Examples may include: ildra Vīsìktrū-ðaldōs (choke) or ildra Vīsìktrū-ðaldōs (marionette).

Spells

Dragàmyr

Vornàmyr

  • Balm of the Apprentice (halra Vīsìktrū-etèçra)
  • Balm of the Journeyman (halra Vīsìktrū-etèçra)
  • Balm of the Master (halra Vīsìktrū-etèçra)
  • Black and Withered Vine (skarádra Vīsìktrū) q.v. Amra
  • Borrowed Vision (orádra-ka shurt Vīsìktrū-etèçra)
  • Crumbling Bones (mūátra Vīsìktis) q.v. Irynil
  • Death’s Veil (halra Vīsìktrū-ðaldōs)
  • Ease Poison’s Hold (halra Vīsìktrū-ðaldōs)
  • Ichor’s Dismissal (halra Vīsìktrū-ðaldōs)
  • Revealed Remains (orádra-vazàllor Vīsìktrū-etèçra)
  • Stirring the Sleeping Form (halra Vīsìktrū-ishra)

Foci

  • Nydel. A Nydel is a type of precious stone that has been enchanted to enhance Ishra magics in the person wearing or using them. The Nydel are most useful when employed above or next to the appropriate Nyd on the subject’s body. A “hand Nydel” for instance, could be fashioned into the handle of a sword to grant the soldier greater manual dexterity when wielding the weapon. A “heart Nydel” could be worn on a brooch over the chest to grant the wearer greater endurance. A “mind Nydel” could be worn on a circlet across the forehead. There are many factors involved in the crafting of Nydel. The type of stone used must correspond to the target Nyd. The cut of the stone dictates the flow of energy from, to, or through the Nyd in question. Masterwork quality Eylfāri armor is sometimes encrusted with Nydèlur of various types.

Resources

Nomenclature: Visiktru Dekàlic: Vīsìktrū (magical form), Vīsìktri (pertaining to), Vīsìktryn (specialist), Vīsìktryr (specialists)