Hydromancy

Hydromancy is the branch of thaumaturgy that is centered on the various forms of the compound H2O, most commonly known as water. Hydromancy requires the use of rituals and vocalizations, but does not have as much of a need for symbols as other branches of thaumaturgy.

## Use

Hydromancers are able to manipulate the energy, and thus matter, of water and its various forms, including steam and ice. Hydromancy does not need symbols as much as most thaumaturgical branches, relying mostly on rituals and vocalizations. This is one of the easiest branches of thaumaturgy to learn. Although it is faster than ferromancy or geomancy, the rituals of hydromancy take much longer than some other branches, such as pyromancy.

## Abilities and Limitations

Hydromancy is focused primarily on water. This grants hydromancers certain abilities related to this focus.

### Active Hydromancy

Like most branches of thaumaturgy, hydromancers are not able to create the element that their branch is focused on. They rely on existing water for use. The most common form is the manipulation of liquid water, primarily moving amounts of water and directing its flow. However the manipulation of liquid water can be used in other methods as well. With enough effort and concentration, some hydromancers are able to create objects out of water. It is also possible for hydromancers to completely dehydrate other organisms by moving the water out of the body, although this use of hydromancy is illegal in most nations.

Hydromancers are also able to manipulate ice to a degree. This is primarily done in the form of creating objects out of liquid water, and then causing it to turn to ice. They are also able to manipulate water vapor and steam.

### Passive Hydromancy

Passive hydromancy arises primarily in the form of a moderate resistance to cold and higher temperatures. Hydromancers are able to survive longer in extreme cold environments than others, and are able to touch and use very cold objects without injury. Hydromancers are also able to withstand higher amounts of pressure, generally water and atmospheric pressure.

### Limitations

Despite their abilities, hydromancers have several limitations that restrict what they can do. The most noticable is that they are not able to create water, so they must draw from existing sources of water. As such, if a hydromancer is in a very dry environment, they may not be able to use their hydromancy.

As well, hydromancers require a large amount of effort and concentration when manipulating large bodies of water.

## Applications

Hydromancers use their hydromancy for a variety of reasons, such as irrigation and manipulating seawater. For this reason, hydromancers most often find employment as farmers, fishermen, firefighters, or members of a navy.

## Sub-Branches

Sub-branches of hydromancy are forms of hydromancy that focus on specific forms of water.

### Cryomancy

Cryomancy is a sub-branch of hydromancy that focuses on the manipulation of ice. Cryomancers are more able to manipulate ice than most hydromancers, although they have a significantly reduced ability to manipulate other forms of water. They are more able to survive in extreme cold.

In addition to ice, cryomancers are able to manipulate snow, sleet, and other forms of frozen water.