Exus

The **Exus** is a strange, metaphysical force exuded by unique energy frequencies and sources. In ancient eras, Exus and its potency was extremely rare and sporadic. In these eras, it was known as **Magic**, **Witchery** and **Bending**. It wasn't until the Alpha Humans of the A222 that Exus became relatively regular, as it specifically embedded itself in that race, and occasionally popped up in the offspring of interhuman species. The A222 gave Exus its official name (Meaning "Power").

Exus is, at its best scientific definition, an inner potency based on the perfect mix of genetic capability and willpower, to exert one's will into astronomical levels that affect the universe. To A222 scholars and scientists, it is believed that Exus is a natural "will to power" enforced by a positive feedback loop from the universe itself, as it seems as though Exus has some kind of vague, conscious focus, suggested by which individuals honed to its frequencies tend to find comfort very specifically to their company, or sites where Exus focus and potency is stressed, such as A222 cult shrines.

The religious connotations of Exus and its similar treatment by the A222 is not easily ignored. To some it is believed to be a focus of religion in A222 society, though that is not strictly true. The Nova Guard order is known, however, to be very "faithful" in its proceedings, hence the misunderstanding, and Nova Guards do not speculate on the science or intricacies of Exus. It merely is, and will always be.

Exus understanding, and talents, tend to be divided into different schools. High-level focus and thought on Exus potential is still a relatively recent movement, and thus understanding and use of Exus potential is incredibly theoretical, and it is likely entire schools are yet to be founded. Nova Guards and (to a slightly lesser extent) Bedran Spectres are encouraged to meditate on their potential in order to find new uses for the schools of Exus, or perhaps even new schools entirely.

## Psychokinesis

The earliest known school of practice in Exus that is so ubiquitous, it is assumed those attuned to Exus all naturally have Psychokinetic ability. While that is usually not untrue (Psychokinesis is universally useful and relatively easy to learn) it is famous for a good reason. Psychokinesis involves the use of Exus to remotely move objects, sometimes regardless of weight or scale, or stop kinetic energy in objects already in motion. At extreme levels, it can be used to break the inner mechanics of machines, choke people or even crush their organs, though this level of precision and force takes extreme proficiency. Psychokinesis is popularly used in zero gravity rescue teams to easily and efficiently rescue people who have begun floating off-course, though Psychokinesis being used in zero gravity is itself a fortuitous tool.

## Anthropothermics

The, perhaps poorly named, school of Anthropothermics is technically the most ancient form of Exus abilities. It was known to be used by ancient Surturians, especially Ice Giants, to create their abilities, be it through weaving flame or ice (to which they personally call it Pyromancy or Cryomancy, depending on the use in particular). It was this mutual skill in Anthropothermics that assisted in Surturian interspecies politics and mutual understanding, and also evened the odds for them when fighting the Klemorians. However, early use of Exus by the A222 included not only using Surturian 'pyromancy" and "cryomancy" interchangeably (as opposed to racial talents to only one such sub-school), they also had the capability to use electrical-based talents. Thus was the founding of Anthropothermics, which broadly specifies the ability to manipulate or create chemical reactions on a small scale, even without the necessary materials to do so (such as creating fire in a sub-zero arctic environment with no oxygen in the atmosphere).

## Psychomancy

Psychomancy is perhaps the most dangerous school of Exus, infamous for what it is capable of doing. To some smaller capacities, it can be used to subtly subvert the mind, read minds or communicate to others through their own inner monologue. Causing guards at posts to zone out for just long enough for spies to slip past, understand the motives of a shady individual or be that extra little effort needed to intimidate or persuade someone of something. However, at extremely dangerous levels, it is known to outright convince people to attack their allies momentarily, or kill themselves. Though cases of this level of understanding of Psychomancy is rare, most infamous are Metallus experiments that had gone rogue, Protospeculatores, eary experiments to force genetic therapy to induce Psychomancy talents in individuals. The resulting experiments resulted in zombie-like, braindead beasts of men that have constant psychic frequencies that could cause entire towns nearby to have constant nightmares and hallucinations, or nearby rooms of individuals go mad, and kill and devour each other. Of course, Protospeculatores are exceedingly rare creatures that have been mostly wiped out, but their stories are haunting nonetheless.

## Chronomancy

A relatively recent and emerging school of Exus, Chronomancy focuses on the ability to understand time in a nonlinear fashion, or manipulate snippets of time. Most frequently this is used for immediate precognition, a 'sixth sense', or clairvoyance. However, it can be actively used to reel back to a moment when an ally wasn't wounded, or repeat the sequence of an explosive detonating. On an incredibly local, or individual level, one can use Chronomancy to eliminate a negative event, or repeat a positive event, slow down or speed up time, or perception of such.