Thysticals

## Appearance

Normal folks, its hard to tell how their hair is effected as many Shapeshift their features to their own desires. Ancient Thysticals may have pointed ears, but that has long sense stopped occurring in modern Thysticals.

## Abilities

### Modern day Thysticals

Teleportation within certain range, Shapeshifting into any living person or animal (they cannot make up a face! And they don't gain powers based on their shapeshift, no turning into a Mythical creature and no controlling mushrooms if you Shapeshift into a dwarf!). They can create fire in their hands, but at the cost of energy. They can turn invisible at will (body and clothes), but not turn an item invisible. They can control plants and animals, as well as Shapeshifts in their animal form, but this costs energy. Some can heal, but their fire won't be so strong, or those good with fire cannot heal well, and may get ill from healing others.

### Ancient Thysticals

The Ancient Thysticals were always uncommon, but nowhere near as rare as they are now.  They lived in all areas, but mainly gathered in the Ancient City, a haven for them that no one else knew of, or was allowed into.

The Ancient Thysticals can do everything a current Thystical can, with the bonus of enchanting things, and changing their appearance at will to any looks they want (outside of inanimate objects).

If they become an animal, they have the disadvantages of having to learn that animal form and how it works, whereas a Shifter has animal instincts and years to learn, the Thystical would have to learn themselves. In addition, becoming a powerful creature doesn't necessarily make them that strong, as they are just borrowing the shape.  Becoming a dragon wouldn't make them immune to fire or swords or anything like that, its just the shape they are right now.

### **ENCHANTMENTS**

Enchantments can be put on anything, but there are limits. You can't enchant someone to die.  You can't enchant an object to kill someone, nor to bring them to you.  You can't enchant an object to tell you the future, tell you things not known to mankind, or to take you to the Afterworld.  You cant enchant something to kill a god, or to turn them mortal.  You can't enchant something to force someone to do something, or edit free will.  You can't enchant something to make someone love, or hate someone else, and can't alter emotions as a general rule.  You can't enchant something to undo these limitations. You can't enchant an object to revive someone from the afterworld, or to make anyone immortal.

oOo Basic Shared Magic oOo

These are things that all Ancient Thysticals can do, regardless of Specialites. However, they can still be effected by the individual's personality, and some Thysticals may find themselves able to do some well naturally, but struggling with others.

**Invisibility** - It relies on the desire to not be seen, clearly, but also being okay with that on a deeper level.  People who seek attention, are highly social, like the spotlight, are vain or hate being ignored will struggle with this, and there is a good chance even adults with one of these traits may only be able to use this skill in very short bursts, become slightly translucent, or have a shimmering outline around their invisible form, simply because deep down, as a person, they want to be seen, despite the situation calling for stealth.

On the flip side, those who prefer solitude, are often scared, prefer to be overlooked, dislike attention or are shy may have a natural talent for invisibility, and pick up on it quickly and skilfully.

**Teleportation** - Teleportation is largely based around ones abilities to remember a place - specifically where they want to go - and do so accurately. Reguardless of personality, many will experience nausea or vertigo the first few times, and may be taken by supprise when someone else teleports them.  People with excellent memory and observant tendencies will find the trips smoother and swifter, and those with a wanderlust are known to have a more enjoyable feeling when teleporting than others.  Those who prefer to stay in one place can find it difficult to teleport, and it may take several tries.  This can also happen to others when teleporting away from a place that means a lot to them, like their childhood home or their favorite park...somewhere they don't want to leave.  Unobservant people may end up teleporting to the wrong location if they can't picture any specific landmarks.

**Controlling Animals** - This ability is often based largely on the person's skill with animals. If the animals distrust them, they are harder to sway, and quicker to fight back.  While it can be done, it will be tiring for the Thystical, and difficult to control very many animals at once, or for very long. Having a violent, dishonest nature can cause this, as well as a general dislike of animals.  Controlling or dominating tendencies may help some, but the predators are known to dislike this greatly, rather than respect it.

Alternatively, those who like animals, or have worked with them before may find it a bit easier.  Having a calm, serene spirit, honest heart and slow movements has also been noted to help. Being submissive, however, does not, and you may find yourself being walked all over by a rabbit rather than assisted. One of the biggest things to remember is that an animal can tell when you are a liar, abuser or schemer.

**Shapeshifting** - Like teleporting, this takes a lot of observation if you're trying to copy a specific person or animal. People tend to be able to mimic those they know best more accurately than strangers, and while looking at a painting of someone may be helpful, it is not all that must happen.

To pass as someone else, you must know their voice, speech patterns and how they act, or you will simply be wearing a mask and nothing else. Those who cannot act find this difficult, even if they Shapeshift accurately. People who are self-concious may find it easier to Shapeshift, while those who are vain or love their own face and features may find them difficult to give up.

They also can't turn into mythical creatures. They could be the human form of a Mythic shifter, but not gain the abilities.

**Fire** -  Fire is based around focusing your energy and emotions, so it takes a good amount of self-control, though it may be triggered by strong emotions sometimes.  Those prone to emotional outbursts, anger, or fear may summon it accidentally.  People who are more timid and submissive could find themselves barely able to make a spark.  Those with the strongest natural fire are, of course, those with Fire Specialites, but for the rest it takes discipline, focus and the ability to control and direct your stronger emotions, as well as triggering them at will.  Strong emotional memories may help, but people with contradicting Specialites (ice, water, plant, etc.) could forever have trouble with it, as it goes against their natural skill set and just feels too different and uncomfortable. It also varies in color for every one, based on their magic.

**Plants** - Plant-based magic is about energy, much like fire, but still very different. While fire ignites your energy, plants bend it into another entity entirely, sharing it with nature to make things grow, or ripping it from nature to give to yourself.  Plant-based magic comes easiest to and is strongest in those with Plant Specialites, but for the rest, those with caring personalities, past experience with gardening, people with the ability to multitask well, and those with more calm or creative traits.  Alternatively, those who damage nature, hurt others needlessly, are prone to angry, insulting or rude talk, and are all around more negative will find their plants weak, slowly and exhausting to grow.

### **SIGNATURE**

Each Ancient Thystical had a Signature unique to them.  It was visible in their eyes, as well as splashes of color hinting at their Specialites. Their Signature is especially noticeable when they use their powers, and when enchanting things, the Signature is visible over the object in question.   No two Signatures are alike, and they can't be hidden, even when shapeshifting.  They will always be visible in the eyes, as long as the Thystical lives.

Signatures can't be seen clearly by most, unless the Ancient Thystical is using their power at the time, or trying to let others see it.  While a Signature is always in the Thystical's eyes, non-Ancient Thysticals can't see it unless the Thystical intentionally makes it visible, or is using their power.

Everyone *will* see whatever odd colors (representing their Specialites) in their eyes, not to the point of looking like a Mimik, but more subtle.

An example would be in IMwB, when Amy first met Cieve, she saw his eyes as blue, with dark flecks, which represented his Specialites of darkness and the mind in his naturally blue eyes.  This was before her power settled itself.

Once she came into her powers, she still saw his eyes as the same color, but also saw them swirling, even when he wasn't using his powers.

For Amy, her eyes will appear brown with streaks of green stemming from the centers.  To other Ancient Thysticals, they will notice a mother-of-pearl ring circling her iris, unless she uses Copycat, at which point it will meld into the other person's Signature.

With DTM possessing Hallow, it is an intentional show.  It *could* keep the Signature invisible to non Ancient Thysticals, but that lowers the intimidation factor.   It is also why when DTM is doing It's 'scope of someone's mind/fears', Hallow's eyes swril with darkness.

Otherwise, as no other Ancient Thysticals (besides OMM) are around, no one would see the Signature, as it is able to be seen naturally through Ancient Thystical magic.

### **SPECIALITES**

Ancient Thysticals may have up to two Specialites, that they don't get to choose. Its like a talent, an extention of their magic that others can't simply learn. Some may have only one or no Specialites, but having two wasn't really rare.  In fact, having one was uncommon, but not looked down apon.  These Specialites each had their own set of limits, but they may include more ease with fire, illusions or mind-reading, dream manipulation, controlling and harnessing light, or ice, to name a few.

### **POST-WAR**

After the War, the Thystical power was limited to what we know today, taking away enchantments and the freedom of random shapeshifting, getting rid of Specialites and Signatures, and greatly limiting the chance of one being born at all.

In the last while, before/during the war, the Shadow Prince found a way to bind his magic to an object, and keep his soul from fully passing on to the Afterworld. The gods do not know where he is, not even gods of death.

Some of the other Ancients discovered this trick before death and used it themselves, making alterations to 'survive'.  However, Amy and Cieve are currently unreachable, out of sight and touch of the gods and mortals alike, waiting to be pulled back be someone on the outside....

### **Weaknesses**

In the Ancient Days, the Thysticals were mostly kept in check by other Thysticals, or the gods themselves.  However, with the creation of the Thystical City, many were born apart from the other races, and knew little but magic.  Because of this, they were sometimes ignorant of the way other people solve problems, or even what went on beyond their boarders.

While Thysticals were strong, they could often be tricked by enchanted objects, unable to sense extra or forcing magics on them.  Because of this, traps were common among Thystical enemies.  Things to dampen their power, or leave them immobile was a favorite, though it took practice and could often backfire on the enchanter if they weren't careful.

The Ancient Thysticals would often feel a good deal weaker if they were in a situation where their Specialities couldn't be used.  A plant-based Thystical in the desert, for example, may feel a useless and weak, as they rely on Specialites above all else.  A fire-based Thystical surrounded by ocean would be desperate to get away, so they could use their favored abilities, and it could cause a moment of panic, weakness, slower reactions or reflexes on other magic, and a general feeling of needing to get away.  You could liken it to having a limp arm, you know it's there, but you can't use it, and that fact will worry and hinder you.

The Ancient Thysticals, being born with Thystical magic and using it since childhood for what we consider everyday things, wouls be *useless* without their powers.  While some born to other races would do a bit better, those in all or mostly Thystical families wouldn't know how to do small things, and they would all definitely feel a sense of something missing.

The Ancient Thysticals can be identified by their Signatures in their eyes, even when shapeshifting, changing their appearance to match another person or animal, the Signature is always there.

Younger Thysticals tend to use their hands a lot when doing any sort of magic, even with their Specialites or enchantments. They will say enchantments aloud, and make hand motions that vary from person to person, to help direct the magic.  It can be a hindrance if they are restrained, as they wouldn't be able to do this, and it could weaken their magic or keep it from cooperating at all.  Think of it like training wheels on a bike.  You have to ease out of them at your own pace, and if they're suddenly gone, you'll get hurt.

The Ancient Magic is jealous and doesn't play well with others.  Those born with it, or who gain it will often be compelled to give up any other form of magic they have (Mimik eyes/voice/fingers, Agell wings, Shapeshift features, etc.)

Those with the Ancient Magic cannot learn other forms of magic or be granted it.  They can't learn sorcery, they can't gain power or abilities from gifts from the gods, and they can't aquire any other magic without giving up their own Ancient power first.  If they try, the Ancient Magic will swallow it up and destroy it completely, sometimes leaving them without any magic or powers at all, stuck absolutely human.

## Genetics

Increadibly rare and quick to die out. There may be some hereditary traits, but it is very uncommon (see Candy Midwinter) and they tend to come from seemingly random or perhaps royal bloodlines.