Mist-Casting
Mist-casting is a power based in mist manipulation. Users can perform spells of varying effects, for both combat and utility purposes.
Table of Contents
Overview
Spells are rituals designed to trigger specific effects when performed by those with powers. Each spell consists of a sigil and a name - the caster traces the shape of the sigil to prepare the spell, then speaks its name to activate it. More powerful spells have more complex sigils, making them more time consuming to cast; some require the use of both hands, or even multiple casters working together. The caster's personal proficiency and strength will factor into its effectiveness as well. Experienced casters can skip either or both of these steps, but choosing to do so weakens the power of the spell.
The exact process of how to create a spell is unknown, but it is said to be difficult and time-consuming, and require specialized knowledge. Alcyon Corporation's R&D division has created upwards of 100 spells, and their catalogue makes up the vast majority of all spells in existence. Most of the rest were created by Labyrinth, and the remaining few by independent exorcists. However, once a spell exists, it is much easier to learn or modify it. For example, a skilled caster may be able to use a lower-power version of a fire combat spell as a light source. Even when not modifying a spell, a caster's powers and subconscious preferences may affect the appearance of the spell - e.g. the shape or color of a shield spell may vary from caster to caster.
Compared to the other basic aura manipulation abilities, mist-casting is more complex to learn and perform. Diels find it especially difficult to learn casting, as it relies heavily on theory, while most diels only have an instinctual grasp over the basic powers. Moreover, unique powers can often produce powerful effects more quickly than spells. Therefore, it is uncommon to find someone who specializes in mist-casting. However, many divers will learn a few spells to cover for situations where their unique power is lacking.
List of Spells
Spells are listed in rough order of increasing power, as in the official fanbook.
Defensive
| Spell Name | Description | Creator |
|---|---|---|
| Shield | Creates a flat, translucent barrier which blocks attacks. | Alcyon |
| Light | Summons a small ball of light. Can be cast at higher power to blind foes. | Alcyon |
| #3 | Creates a barrier in the shape of a rectangular prism, which encases the target. | Labyrinth |
| Mirror Curtain | Creates a cloth-like barrier. Anything that remains motionless beneath it will be hidden from both sight and mist-sense. | Alcyon |
| Thorny Cage | Creates a barrier around the user which reflect mist-based attacks back toward the attacker. | Alcyon |
| Spider's Cradle | Summons a net made of strings of light, to capture an opponent or catch a falling ally. | Alcyon |
| Shadow Bind | Shadowy ropes emerge from the ground beneath the target, ensnaring them and limiting their movements. | Alcyon |
| #13 | The target is engulfed in light and teleported a short distance in a direction of the caster's choosing. | Labyrinth |
| Time Out | Moves the target forward in time, essentially causing them to disappear for up to 60 seconds. | Unknown |
Offensive
| Spell Name | Description | Creator |
|---|---|---|
| Blare | Creates a small explosion. Short-ranged and low-power, but relatively easy to cast repeatedly. | Alcyon |
| #2 | Fires a small ball of energy. | Labyrinth |
| Red Bolt | The user fires a beam of red energy from one hand that can set fire to what it hits. | Alcyon |
| Blue Bolt | The user fires a beam of blue energy from one hand. Anything it hits is coated with ice. | Alcyon |
| #11 | A ring of light expands outward from the caster, damaging anything it hits. | Labyrinth |
| #17 | The user chooses up to six spots within range. Square pillars of destructive energy erupt upward from those points. | Labyrinth |
| Hunting Light | A ring of glowing orbs appear around the user's arm, and each fires a beam of light that home in toward the target. | Alcyon |
| Brilliant Void | Summons a large portal in front of the user. Spears of light rain out of the portal toward the target. | Alcyon |
Trivia
- Alcyon Corporation's spells tend to have short names related to their effects, while Labyrinth's spells are simply numbered. Spells invented by independent exorcists vary more in naming convention. This implies that the creator of the spell can freely decide its name.