Deva Arts

**Phoresis** or **Pact-Bearing** is a type of bargaining magic present in Arkha through which the user forms a contract with a Deva. People capable of such arts are commonly referred to as **"Pact-Bearers"** and have the ability to channel a Deva's mystical power in order to manipulate the elements and use a variety of special techniques in exchange for fulfilling the Deva's wishes or prolonging their ideals.

## Process

The act of performing and carrying a pact with a Deva is called **Phoresis**, and those who perform such contracts are known as **Devaphors**, although this is seldom referenced in the world, and only acknowledged by scholars. Depending on the region of the world, choosing who is allowed to form a pact can be achieved in many different ways. Some must complete a long and arduous peregrination, while others need to show their strength in a tournament. Some are chosen democratically, while some are chosen through heritage. Some must offer a sacrifice in order to seal the contract, but all of them must bargain or negotiate with the deva so that both the bearer and the deva’s wishes come true. While people often want to elect their own pact-bearers, it is ultimately the choice of the Deva in question to form a pact with the user, and often choose to reveal themselves to specific people regardless of any procedures or rituals in place whenever they consider a person as a good candidate for their powers. There is no limit to how many pacts a person can make, but since they require a certain level of energy, sacrifice, and effort to perform, it is very unusual to see a person bearing more than one pact, let alone two. At the same time, a deva can hold an unlimited amount of bearers with which they distribute their power.

Once the pact with the deva is made, a memento that unites them is forged through magic. This could be in the form of accessories, jewelry, or body markings/tattoos. The abilities a clan, race, or individual has depends on their affinity towards a certain type of deva, as they are generally direct descendants of divine beings of the same element. It is believed that the purer the bloodline, the stronger the affinity to form pacts and contracts. At times, both the memento and the elemental abilities are passed down by families or clans through generations and they often take years of study and training to refine. Not everyone in such a family has the physical and mental condition to execute these practices, since the energy is often too volatile for the average individual to wield.

## Skill Types

Abilities obtained through a pact can be divided into two major categories: **Retributive** and **Sacrificial Skills.**

### Retributive Skills

**Retributive skills** derive from the energy of **divine punishment** acts performed by the elemental gods, which manifest in natural disasters like thunderstorms, flooding, earthquakes, desertification, permafrost, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes. They are classified according to the Seven Ruins. The energy from these powers can be tapped into through the wielding of special catalyst such as accessories, weapons, runes, or body markings associated with the god. Additionally, they can be used to manipulate an element if it’s present in the environment. (i.e an Erosion Pact-Bearer could be more powerful in the desert vs a Deluge one, even if the latter has a pact with a more powerful god)

#### Sacrificial Skills

**Sacrificial skills** derive their power from **offerings or tributes** made to the bargaining gods, and allow for manipulation of the soul, purification, corruption, psychic and illusory powers, superhuman properties, and manipulation of metals. They are classified according to the Six Virtues. Although the powers are bestowed directly from a god, they require intense training to fully master and perform. The usage of these powers usually involve performing **rituals** through summoning circles, spell scrolls and books, talismans, jewelry, instruments, chanting, and incantations.

 Atonement | Corruption
 Fervor | Soul
 Temper | Metal
 Wisdom | Mind
 Vigor | Body