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(Bloodforce pixels by Alluvial. Please don't take!)
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Although not an active ability, when a Zykla is using their Bloodforce, they can get "tastes" of the souls around them. This is not so focused as to sense memories or thoughts but does offer a greater sensitivity to the emotional state of another. This ability is beyond the physical body, and only one that has an understanding of the Bloodforce can hope to defend against it, let alone fool it.
SOULSENSE
Coming with the practice of tasting and reading the souls and emotions of those around them gives the Zykla further insight into how to mask and hide their own. Understanding the emotional states of souls around them lends them to keep their emotions from wandering to the shallow surface where others might perceive the secrets of their souls that much easier. Able to better hide their feelings and emotional state better than a Zykla not as familiar and practiced in matters of the soul.
Zykla may be creatures of taboo practices, but they are not without hearts. With the craft of their Bloodforce, practiced Zykla will help ease the emotional pain of another in need with the help of Soul Soothing. A simple breath or a gentle cast of their wrist the ethereal tendrils of their Bloodforce can manifest a small cloud, veiling over to swathe their quarry.SOUL SOOTHING
In turn, this provides an incredible boon to the other as a measure of safety, security, quieting their mind as amenity washes away whatever hardships they may have recently endured.The effects of Soul Soothing will determine the severity of the other's emotional state, lasting for a few hours on up to a week and repeated if needed for extreme cases.
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An extension of the Lumes, Sparklers are manifestations of several orbs forced together upon the Zykla's will. Usually coalesced within her jaws or among her fingers, These energetic glitter bombs will struggle to stay whole until their Zykla finally releases them. A sparkler will burst into Lumes with loud cracks and bright flashes. Lumes will flash again into flares of excited Glitterdust left to swirl and spin in the air as their Zykla would make use of the spectacle as they see fit.SPARKLERS
What is loved is never lost. Ingrained memories are precious to all peoples and to Zykla more than most. Through deep concentration, A Zykla's soul may lift from their body and drift to familiar places or along familiar paths. While Ghostly to the onlooker, these sentient forms can neither harm nor be harmed as they observe and carry message upon their caster's will... Unless Banished. (See Banished under Tainted)PROJECTION
Beware the Vile
Fellow Zykla, even our corrupted Kin can trace a projection to the caster. The costs of this art can and will leave the body vulnerable to Parasites at best and Predators at worst.
An innervating surge of bloodforce that can be dispersed over a small to large area (15 - 90 foot radius ) or concentrated into a single touch. It encourages the rapid growth of plant life, returning life to withering foliage, and inspiring the quickened sprout and growth of seedlings. Bloom Veil is often used to assist in horticultural growth during drought seasons or inspire life within colder climates. This botanical ability also increases the potency of medicinal plants, ultimately aiding in healing the sick and injured to a swifter recovery.BLOOM VEIL
However, Bloom Veil comes at a cost. The larger the area in which Bloom Veil is used, the quicker the ability drains the casting Zykla's reserves. In many instances when Bloom Veil is needed on a grander scale (E.g. Crop fields), multiple Zykla will assist at once - this effectively causes less drain on the Zykla and quickens the task simultaneously.
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Vicious as they are vindictive, tainted Zykla may throw their Bloodforce upon a projection to drown out the image and overwhelm the original caster's mind. Though neither physically nor spiritually harmful, This short assault may shatter a projection and keep the machinations of a tainted Zykla protected.
BANISHMENT
NOX
Reap the Light.Any Lume summoned can be scattered or suppressed by their Zykla. While a vile few can snuff their light. Unseen but gravely felt, tainted Zykla have been able to cast their Bloodforce with little more than a wave of their arm, a raking of their claws to the air. This motion steals the light of a lume and rapidly starves manifested Lumes or Sparklers, leaving scattered ash in their wake.NULLIFICATION
The Insidious Snare of the Tainted Zykla.Used to prey over their own kind, Nullification stands as a direct counter to other arts of Bloodforce. While slow to prepare, this power will restrain the victim's Bloodforce reserves and effectively starve out a Zykla in mid-cast and shall continue to deny their use of their abilities for several hours or even days. While Nullification is burdensome for use in engagement, Zykla have made their name in preparing their snares whilst stalking their would-be victim.
An obscure ability unique to some Zykla, Syphon may be used to tap into and draw away the Bloodforce of another. For good or for ill, The act will leave it's discoloring mark upon the victim's hide and fundamentally disrupt their ability to harvest fresh replacement for as little as a few days to as much as a full week. While it can be used through casting Bloodforce upon another Zykla at a distance, this method takes time and focus where so much1 as a single embrace could very well drain a Zykla instantly.SYPHON
UMBRAL BLIGHT
The consistency of Umbral Blight is distinct and unlike other abilities. Akin to adhesive dust, the wisps have a heavier appearance. Fluid and gracefully the wisps spindle from the Zykla's fingertips; floating momentarily before the wisps gradually descend and ultimately settle onto a surface.
Its potency remains until it is either touched or washed off. Umbral Blight can be delivered in food, by liquid, or it can be applied to weapons, trap components, and items that create piercing damage. Since bloodforce doesn't have a scent or taste, it is nearly undetectable, which only makes this ability even more dangerous.
Contact: Any target that makes contact with the poison with exposed skin will suffer its effects: Dilated Pupils, Blurred Vision, Dizziness, and Nausea. Contact with Umbral Blight isn't fatal but will leave the afflicted party out of sorts for a day or two after the effects have worn off.
Ingesting & Injury: Any target that ingests or otherwise becomes internally afflicted with Umbral Blight will suffer similar, if not more severe symptoms to contact victims. However, in addition to the Dilated Pupils and Nausea, a target will also become debilitated by onsets of Fever, Delirium, Dehydration, and Labored Breathing. If left untreated the severity of symptoms will continue to escalate until the target succumbs and ultimately escapes to death's embrace.