Caromancy

**Caromancy**, **viscomancy**, or sometimes simply **flesh magic** is a form of sorcery practiced throughout Fayos. It is especially popular amongst practitioners of Northern Modern Medicine, who incorporate it into their treatments. Caromancy is somewhat controversial in its ethical implications and effectiveness.

## History

Caromancy was first mentioned in 3500 AE, being practiced in Palmira by a special sect of high ranking priests. The surviving manuscript, translated from the papyrus originals into High Kuddian by the Bailets, describes how these priests would bend and shape flesh with intricate movements of the hands. They served a "Great God" whom the Palmirans called Yohnathul. Yohnathul was said to take great pleasure in the art of reforming flesh and would bestow blessings upon those capable of pleasing him. To gain this blessing, the priests would craft strange animals and gardens of flesh and bone. These latter places would be used as practice grounds for aspiring caromancers; they would torture prisoners to death there by bending their bodies into horrific forms.

In 2876, the Winter Year, the King of Bailet, in an attempt to stave starvation among the peasants, used caromancers to produce greater yield from sacred cattle slaughtered for survival. This led to the Kurtal Incident and the banning of caromancy in Kudd. At the same time, Cadan also saw the widespread disdain for flesh magic growing, leading to the unofficial banning of its practice. It was common for suspected caromancers to be stoned to death or quartered in Cadan.

In the 2000s AE, caromancy was increasingly associated with necromancy throughout the South. The Sand Plague pandemic of 2197 was blamed partially on the experiments of caromancers, who were thought to have released the disease upon the populace. The 1045 Third Justainian Council lists caromancy among the sorcery types punishable by death under Canon Law. During this time, the Caedes' Lady Kovas teaches caromancy regularly within her Kavidae University with the art being acceptable in that country. In 235 AE, after years of study, Dr. Maksim Hjarvih of Barland along with his closest colleagues, established the Medical Institute of Saint Vladimir the Redeemer in Akdur, Barland. The institution would become the leading school for teaching medicine in the North and would spawn the discipline of Northern Modern Medicine. Caromancy would become of great interest to those within the field, becoming standard practice in small ways throughout many procedures. Originally, this was a secret practice but in 42 AE, at the Second Council of Akdur, it was decided that caromancy would not encompass that which was being practiced in Northern Modern Medicine. This new division would separate medical flesh manipulation into a new category called viscomancy, a legal form of flesh magic. Caromancy is still a sin and illegal in the Justainian Empire.

Currently, caromancy is performed regularly by shamans in Kutsupukk with cultural acceptance. Evidence shows that the Sxthani of Sxthn practice caromancy as well.

## Description

Caromancy is the manipulation of flesh, bones, blood, and any type of bodily form. It is a type of sorcery, so it requires little in physical preparation to begin. The caromancer typically uses their own hands to manipulate the flesh. For example: during a battle, a practitioner could, with a wave like motion between both hands, cause a wall of meat and bone to burst out of a fallen cavalry horse, blocking enemies. A doctor in the North practicing viscomancy during a surgery could twirl the finger around an artery to stretch it, allowing for easier reattachment if broken. Those more villainous could use the squeezing of their fist beneath a cloak to stop the heart of a target. An assassin might place his hand to someone's temple, blocking the vessels of the brain. Thus, caromancy is highly useful and highly dangerous.

What keeps the practice in check is its incredibly difficult teaching. It is highly secretive what must be done to learn the technique, though it is common knowledge that one part is great personal sacrifice. Anyone familiar with a doctor in the North who knows viscomancy is familiar with the plethora of scars, wounds, or other decrepitudes they have gained through the pursuit of the skill. Some historically notable caromancers have been blighted by terrible diseases in their attempts to gain more mastery of the art. Thus, caromancy is kept in check by the secrecy of its teaching.

## Noteworthy Caromancers

Yuri Degenhard - Paramour to Queen Guinevere Wilem of Flowers as well as the founder of the Brotherhood of the Elk and Sword, an occult organization in Fleur. Yuri claimed to have learned some caromancy while traveling with a Dr. in Barland whom he called Yod. He apparently demonstrated this ability to Guinevere once at Everemere, turning a rose into bone. This relic, called the Ossein Rose, is housed within the Guineveraeum at Zidonia.