Daelyrian Mysticism

**Daelyrian Mysticism** refers to mystical and sometimes magical practices, rituals, and theory within Draconism and other daelyrian spiritual groups. Mysticism is not so much a doctrine as a method of thought. It has often been connected to mystical theology and prophecy, especially in various sects, mostly originating from the region of Illeryon but also other places in the daelyrian cultural sphere. The attributes and means by which Daelyrian mysticism is studied and practiced are varied. They range from ecstatic visions of the soul's mystical union with divine spirits, physical transformations and interaction with the gods to simple prayerful contemplation of holy scripture and philosophical principles.

## Illeryan Mysticism

The city of Illerya has historically not only been the center of traditional daelyrian and draconist culture, but also united many different cultural movements, daelyrian and foreign, inside its walls. As such many sects and mystic groups have sprung up in this metropolitan area. Many daelyrian mystical traditions have their origins here or became first popular here.

## Resurrection

### Daelvynar

Daelvynar, or "ashen wraiths" describes creatures and beings that died and whose bodies were resurrected as vengeful and primitive undead. It is believed that the burning of corpses may prevent the appearances of Daelvynar. The cause of resurrection can highly vary, usually posession by spirits and demonic or divine forces, either by chance or through a direct connection to the happenstances of their demise and burial, if any. While ashen wraiths are generally seen as to be avoided at all costs, some draconist occultist have attempted to create them artificially and attempt to gain control over the lingering undead, although the results have been mixed. Daelvynar are specifically believed to not contain the soul or spirit of the deceased being but only their body, although containing a unique essence as all physical lifeforms do besides human souls in the case of humans. They may apart from humans and humanoid bodies also appear from deceased animals, then colloquially referred to as "ashen beasts".

### Beastshading

The practice of beastshading describes a fringe practice involving Shade of the Evening and dead animals. One puts a small pile of Shade of the Evening inside the dead remains of animals such as wolves, cattle and deer. After that a lightened match is added into the Shade and the perpetrator takes a step back. After a few seconds the carcass may begin to move randomly and seem alive again. Results can range from simple random movements to reportedly being just like alive, moving ferociously, dripping saliva and blood from its mouth while biting in the air towards any humans nearby. This may last up to a few minutes depending on the amount of shade and the condition of the body.

## Transformation

### Lyneryn

While the lyneryn are often equalised with vampires, this is not necessarily the case. Lyneryn describes any person that consumes or utilises blood, more specifically that of humans and other humanoids, as blood is believed to carry great power in it in daelyrian culture. This practice is seen as very dangerous, as it can quickly lead to dependence on drinking blood in order for one to sustain themselves, although it can bring many advantages and blessings and is often seen as a kind of particular service to the gods. In case of true vampires, they may not have any other option other than to consume human blood to survive. These cases are seen as the vampire divinely having received both a curse and a blessing. However the practice of assaulting humans in order to get their blood is very controversial and generally frowned upon, making this a big societal shaking point for such people.

#### Vharkylak

Vharkylak are a very specific type of Lyneryn. Unlike the former these are considered true vampires. They have a very long lifespan, with their only permanent need being the blood and in some cases also the flesh of humans. According to daelyrian folklore, they descent from an ancient warlord, who became a Lyneryn, but couldnt control himself and fell victim to greed and sin. As a punishment the god Arrax punished him by cursing his and all his descendents to rely on other people to sustain themselves and unable to ever kill themselves or one of their own without the help of a non-Vharkylak. Furthermore it is believed that his descendants would split into a number of clans, living scattered and isolated in the north forming a single group of vampires. Some also believe that those are the ancestors of all vampires, although scholars do not recognise such claims usually. Other versions of the tale also claim that when a Vharkylak is deprived of blood for a certain amount of time his appearance begins to resemble that of a humanoid wolf.

#### Dhampyrs

Dhampyrs, also known "Blood walkers", are the product of a Vharkylak and a human mating, or a dhampyr and a human mating. They are alledged to appear mostly human and without the need to consume blood, while also posessing some abilities from their vampiric parent, such as a talent for sorcery and magic and general strength. Their most unique trait however is that Drampyrs are said to gain power and feel special relief and satisfactions from killing people. Furthermore is it generally agreed upon that Dhampyrs feel little emotion for other people and are bad guests. As such many Dhampys became warriors, or with their special abilities, vampire-hunters. A popular folktale tells of a Dhampyr who became a vampire hunter and killed his own vampiric mother, before knowing of her identity, leaving to him being outcast from his country and home and fighting in foreign lands.

### Beastshifters

According to common belief if one is to consume a mix of human and animal blood while invoking the deity Aegerax, they will posess the ability to turn into said animal, although only at night time or inside buildings. The reason for this is believed to be that Gaelithox despises Beastshifters and with his damaged eye being the moon and his full eye being the sun. It is also alledgedly possible to only drink the animal blood while invoking Aegerax and permanently turn into the animal, giving up the life as a human.

### Therykis

Therykys describes a state of altered conciousness that can be experienced by professional fighters in battles. Warriors experiencing this are said to fall into a fury-like trance, almost unkillable and mawing down the enemies. It is seen as a blessing induced by the god of war, combat and fury, Vhagar.

## Aphelytes

The Aphelytes are a controversial sect in Draconism. It is practiced mainly in Elesgate, the town that originated the sect, after the Voidborn invasion in Rathnir. The main focus of the Aphelyte practices is on the exorcism of living beings and places that were corrupted by the Voidborns. The reason that the Aphelytes are a controversial sect is due to them rejecting the divinity of Balerion, the god of death, some even considering him to be a demon that has the objective to destroy Rathnir.

## Gaelidism

Professional Gaelidism is most commonly practiced to Dragonblooded demigods who are immune to fire and can use pyrochenisis to control fire. The effect can be emulated alchemically using a solution of magma cream and netherwart mixed in water under extreme temperatures. Amateur gaelidists can be found all over Daelyria and often travel to foreign places to work as fire performancers for a living.

### Known Gaelidists:

-King Unburnt Blackfyre the first: First King of Daelyria, Aestyria, Arcovel and the Varandoy-Aestyrian Kingdom, Unburnt got his name from his Gaelidist abilities, which he inherited from his parents. He proved his powers at his coronation 15/10/2021.

## Lynmaegan

TO BE CHANGED Blood magic is a much more complex system, practices in many parts of Rathnir and Eldham under different names. The practice originated in their ancient capital and with the mythical hero Illyax Ashborn who used the blood of one of his sisters to make the sword Dark Sister. This bound the soul of the donor to the object, and based on the donor's personality and the texture of their soul along with the intent of the Blood Mage can produce many effects. The soul is completely reshaped in some instances to give an impression of speech to the weapon or object.

### Terminology

The terminology is:

-Donor: the person's or persons' blood being used to forge the item

-Blood Mage/Binder: the person performing the ritual of the Blood Binding.

-Focus: the object or weapon which blood magic is being performed on, like a sword or key.

-Commandment: the thought or idea given by the Binder onto the Focus.

-Will: the stronger Will of the Binder, the clearer the Commandment will be. A Binder of strong will may be able to use the souls of dozens or even hundreds of Donors on their Focus.

-Binding: the action of creating a Focus.

### Examples of Blood Magi in the world:

-Lord Commander Augustino Synderys: leader of the royal guard of Aestyria, Augustino Synderys is said to be one of the greatest Blood Mages in the world, as showcased by his forging of his sword, the Commander's Will, and serving as Vhagar's Rhaes Aeuthu in the Binding of Vhagar's Key during the Ascension of his cousin, Dusk Synderys the Aenyn's key, a high position in Draconism. Read more here.

-In Luthurn blood magic is very prominent.