Powers
By manipulating mist in different ways, both humans and demons can achieve a wide variety of supernatural effects.
Table of Contents
Basic Powers
Basic powers stem from the manipulation of one's aura. Humans and demons naturally radiate a small amount of mist at all times. In the case of powerful enough beings, the mist they radiate does not burn away, but persists around the being in the form of an aura. Auras are not visible to mundane humans, but can be perceived by those with mist-sensing abilities.
These abilities are shared among all mist-users, human and demon alike. This means that any mist-user could theoretically teach these techniques to any other mist-user. In practice, users have varying preferences and levels of aptitude, leading to unique specializations and fighting styles.
On the simplest level, aura manipulation allows a user to change the strength of their aura by controlling the release of their mist. Flaring one's aura can serve to intimidate opponents or boost one's power at the cost of using up their mist supply faster. On the other hand, suppressing one's aura can be used for stealth, but prevents the use of any other techniques at the same time.
More advanced techniques are sorted into three broad categories: sensing, boosting, and casting.
Sensing
Mist-sensing allows a user to perceive other beings without relying on the five basic senses. Users can to pinpoint people's locations and determine their species and rough level of power, even behind cover or at range.
Each individual's emitted mist has a unique "feel" or signature quality to it. Visually, these are represented as auras with different colors and shapes. Those who are proficient at mist-sensing can recognize the presence of their friends and acquaintances, and distinguish them from others.
Boosting
Mist can be used to boost a user's physical abilities. For example, concentrated mist application in the arm and spine can allow a user to punch with supernatural strength, and application in the legs can allow them to leap buildings.
Boosting can also be used defensively, essentially as a shield to mitigate incoming damage. As such, those who are proficient in mist-boosting can shrug off ridiculous amounts of punishment.
Casting
Main article: Mist-Casting
Mist-casting is the use of mist to cast spells. It is the most complex and difficult of the basic powers.
Unique Powers
Most aura-manipulation users also develop a unique power, which is more complex and more powerful than the basic abilities. The details of how these powers awaken and function depend on the user's species.
Unique powers can produce a variety of miraculous-seeming effects, and generally are less complicated and cost less mist to use than the basic abilities. However, they are still at their core mist-manipulation techniques. Any effect caused by a unique power will eventually end, due to the passage of time or the user running out of mist. Therefore, it is impossible to permanently transform matter into another form, or create objects out of nothing.
Mare
Main article: Mare
Human unique powers are known as mares. In rare cases, they can awaken naturally, but most existing mares were artificially awakened using Alcyon Corporation's technology. They are manifestations of the users' dreams.
Wake
Main article: Wake
Demon unique powers are known as wakes. They awaken once the demon has a solid identity, and are more prone to changing/growing over time than mares. They are manifestations of the users' identities and impact on the world.
Types
Although mares and wakes are somewhat similar in terms of function, it has been found that some types of powers are more common among mares than wakes, or vice versa. Alcyon Corporation sorts mares and wakes into five of these types, in order to more efficiently direct their employees.
These categories are imperfect, and many powers do not fit neatly into them. It is rare but possible to encounter powers with effects that fall outside any of the other five types, or those with characteristics from multiple types. However, they are widely used even outside of Alcyon Corporation as a convenient way to discuss powers.
Weapon
Weapon-type powers manifest solid, inanimate objects out of mist. Most commonly, this takes the form of a signature weapon. In many cases, the manifested weapon itself has supernatural properties resembling the effects of other power types, but the important criterion for this category is that these effects can only be channeled through the weapon.
This is a common type for mares, but rare for wakes.
Familiar
Familiar-type powers manifest creatures, drones, turrets, or other mist constructs that can move independently from the user. As with weapon-types, other effects cannot be directly accessed by the users, and must be channeled through the familiar.
In some cases, familiars demonstrate human-level sapience and are capable of speech. However, research has determined that rather than being independent personalities, they are aspects of the user's personality. The example given in the databook is a shy person with a brash and rude familiar which represents their desire to be more open.
This is an uncommon type for mares, and very rare for wakes.
Elemental
Elemental-type powers manifest elemental substances such as water or fire.
This is the most common type for both mares and wakes, and often considered the easiest type to teach and use. However, it is difficult to use them in controlled and precise ways, and it is common for new users of elemental-type powers to cause large amounts of collateral damage.
Manipulation
Manipulation-type powers do not manifest anything, and instead use mist in order to manipulate physical objects that already exist. Some powers can only manipulate certain types of material. Others are indiscriminate but have restrictions such as range, activation requirements, or limited power.
This is an uncommon type for mares, and a common type for wakes.
Sensory
Sensory-type powers directly affect minds, either the user's own or others'. They are ESP-like and can create effects such as illusions, clairvoyance, or telepathy.
This is the rarest type for both mares and wakes.
Other Abilities
Abilities that do not require the direct manipulation of mist can be used even by regular humans, so they are generally not considered powers. It is also possible for normal humans to achieve effects similar to powers by using certain equipment.
- Astral projection is a technique humans can use to visit oneirosea while awake.