Mysticism

Mysticism is a Dark Magic that focuses around the manipulation of ectoplasm; the corrupting substance, composed of lifeforce and mana, that certain types of undead creatures are composed of. It is a very ritualistic and versatile magic, consisting of various ectoplasm-related liturgies that do anything from raising Paleknights to creating opaque defensive mists. When one becomes a master of Mysticism, they may choose to turn into a Wight to further boost their skill.

Specifications

The rituals employed in Mysticism are as follows:

• Crowning - Crowning is a liturgy only usable by Wights. Crowning unlocks one’s sensitivity to ectoplasm, allowing them to practice Mysticism.

• Sapping - Sapping is the removal of one’s capability to use Mysticism. Little is known of it.

• Saturation - Saturation is one of the simplest rituals in Mysticism. To Saturate is to attempt to turn a person into either a Ghost or Graven through killing them with an ectoplasm-imbued blade. It is also used as a part of many other liturgies, such as Paleknight-making or Tyking.

• Deadbreath - The only non-ritualistic spell in Mysticism, which allows mystics to produce clouds of gaseous ectoplasm on-the-fly. The size and longevity of the clouds increase with tier. Only ectoplasm-related entities (Ghosts, Gravens, Wights, Apparitions, Paleknights, and mystics) can see through them; to others, the cloud is completely opaque.

• Binding - Through Binding, a Ghost, Graven or Apparition may be compelled to linger around a certain pillar or object. While not initially a physical repositioning, the being bound will feel as if the stone obelisk or object they’ve been bound to is their “home”, in a sense. Binding can also be used to create Menhir, which are stone obelisks capable of holding many souls and soul shadows. Through repeatedly binding soul shadows and souls produced through Saturation, an Apparition may be spawned at a Menhir.

• Handling - Handling is the act of forcefully convincing a phantom to align under a Mystic. The effect is only temporary, however, as the phantom’s regenerating ectoplasm will eventually rid them of the influence of the mystic.

• Hindering - Hindering is a ritual with two uses. Its first, simpler use, is entirely aesthetic-- influencing plants, animals, or objects to appear ghostly. The second use requires intensive preparation and sacrifice. An array of stone pillars must be erected, and then six people must be killed within said array whilst Mystics exude their ectoplasm; this is known as “locational Hindering”. After a location has been hindered, phantoms of all sorts will find themselves empowered in the area. For example, Ghosts will find themselves able to physically interact with the world in a Hindered area, while Mystics will find it easier to perform their art.

• Tyking - Tykes are a byproduct of Saturation; a temporary Ghost or Graven, lasting only one IRL day, that can be raised immediately (unlike Saturation, which takes several days). They are ordered through voice commands, and their power is determined by the tier of the mystic.

• Hexing - Hexing is the art of drawing a polygeist out of the Soul Stream, and then imbuing it in an object. If a living person were to come into contact with the object, whatever negative effect the polygeist has would be imparted on to the holder. For example-- a ragegeist inhabiting a ring would cause the bearer to feel extreme anger and aggression until the ring was removed.

• Paleknight-making - Main article: https://wikia.lordofthecraft.net/index.php?title=Paleknights#Creation

• Wight-making - Main article: https://wikia.lordofthecraft.net/index.php?title=Wights#Creation

Tiers

Tier one

• A recently-Crowned mystic. They can use one to two liturgies per day, and may only perform Deadbreath, Saturation, Tyking, Handling, and Hindering.

Tier two

• At this tier, mystics can perform up to three liturgies a day. They may use Binding, but cannot produce Menhir. Their skill in previously-learned liturgies increases.

Tier three

• At tier three, the mystic has the capability to perform any liturgy except Crowning and Sapping, and up to four per day. More specifically, they may now assist in Paleknight creation, they can create Menhir, use locational Hindering, use Hexing, and their prowess in Mysticism increases.

Tier four

• At tier four, the mystic is as powerful as they can get without becoming a Wight. They can use five liturgies a day, teach (but not Crown) other mystics, and can transcend into Wightdom. As always, their talent for Mysticism grows.

Tier five

• The mystic has transcended to Wightdom, and may Crown, Sap, and direct Paleknight creation. Their capabilities in every liturgy increase by a good deal, and six can be casted per day.

How to Learn

To learn Mysticism, one must find a teacher.

Make sure to apply on here

Random Tidbits

• When using Mysticism, a mystic will “Gleam”, inducing a motley of aesthetic effects. This includes glowing blue-green, bones showing through skin, and patterns of rot appearing on the body.
• Mysticism is the only magic to have been discovered through ritualistic mass murder-suicide.
• Mysticism usage is directly related to mental illness.
• On a different note, did you know that the worship of Billy Bob was illegalized for Halflings by the efforts of Bolo Willowbottom over the course of twenty years? Find out more here.

References

• The original lore
• The (slightly outdated) guide

Magic Arcane Magic Transfiguration · Voidal Translocation · Void Shifting Elemental Evocation · Conjuration Sensory Illusion · Deity Magic Shamanism · Druidism · Paladinism · Seers · Malchediael's Templars · Heralds of Azdromoth Dark Magic Fjarriauga · Necromancy · Pale Bloodmagic · Mysticism · Naztherak Artificery Atronach Forging · Golemancy Other Kani · Housemagery · Bardmancy