Radka

**Radka** is the art of harnessing radiation into various forms for various purposes. This raw energy naturally flows out of minerals in the ground, and appears practically everywhere on Narus, even in its folk. It can be harnessed in numerous ways, mostly for combat.

Radka is channeled through a wielder's hands. Because of this, it will often lead their hands scarred and burned.

## Origin and History

Radka energy constantly flows out of nearly every part of the physical world, though it's unclear how or where the energy is actually formed. Users can therefore have access to their power at any given time.

It's thought that Humanity had a certain degree of control over Radka, and this may have played a part in their exodus from the planet. Human technology will often utilize radiation in its purpose, such as in heating devices, and modern folk understanding of Radka originates from a Human facility.

The first users of Radka were the Capran. The Goat-folk migrated to the island of Simao in ME 95, amidst the First Emergence of the Lyrac. There they found Tovin, a former Human facility left desecrated. Tovin is thought to have been a launch point for Human ships journeying into Legan, as is evident by the discovery of multiple engines near the shores of Simao. Over time, the Capran rebuilt and settled around the site, eventually discovering Radka. The exact date of this is unknown. However as third-generation settlers were the first users of the art, the discovery likely occurred sometime between ME 180 and 202. Radka soon became central to Capran society, and nearly every settler around the temple was known to be a wielder.

Abdiel came to the island in ME 328, studying among the Capran for a decade. He was the first known outsider to be allowed to do so, and reached the rank of Elder. Abdiel massacred his mentors, as well as the surrounding village, in ME 338, before leaving the island and returning to the Shanorin Dynasty.

It's unclear if any other outsiders aside from Abdiel became wielders. While non-Capran's were barred from entry to Tovin, it's possible that a Capran left the island for the mainland and thus brought his powers with him. Nonetheless, the current number of wielders is thought to either be zero, or incredibly low following the massacre.

## Uses

### Brainmelt

Brainmelt is the most common use for offensive Radka. It involves heating a target's brain to its melting point, literally melting their mind and killing them. This process can take anywhere from 10 seconds to a minute, depending on the wielder. Though survival is impossible, if one is released from brainmelt prior to death they will usually survive for a few hours. This "survival" is said to be agonizing, as the victim will rarely retain the mental power to think or even move.

### Brainheat

Brainheat is similar to brainmelt. However instead of killing the target, the wielder will hold them just shy of the melting point. Survival rate is much higher, but victims are often left severely disabled.

### Vaporization

Vaporization is rare, and requires a great amount of power to use. It sees the wielder generate a large force of energy, which is then concentrated and pushed towards a single point. Upon contact the point is near-instantly melted, hence the term vaporization.

### Light bending

Light bending is a relatively easy power. It requires only a small amount of energy and sees the wielder manipulate the light around them, either creating impossibly dark shadows or lighting up entire rooms of darkness. Bright lights can also be directed at a target's eyes, temporarily blinding them.

### Illusions

The extent illusions can be created and controlled is poorly understood, and its debated whether or not they are truly caused by Radka, with many theorizing illusions are generated by fear when in brainmelt. What is known is that wielders will often see illusions themselves. These are uncontrolled, and likely brought on by long-time exposure to radiation energy.