Editing Witchcraft (section)

= Spellcraft of the Church of Elements =


This chapter will introduce you to the spellcraft practiced by the [[valkor|Church of Elements]].


== Minor spellcraft ==


=== Prayer ===

{{quote|
''"Spirits of mothers, hear the vow''<br>
''That I shall soon say:''<br>
''And if I betray it, let your army''<br>
''Come for me and slay."''<br>
}}

All Children of Light can learn prayers in which they ask for help either directly from the gods or from one of his patron saints. Prayer is always associated with some virtue and helps to fight against sin. The prayer of chastity helps to combat the lusts of the flesh, the prayer of grace helps to show pity and ease the suffering of others, the prayer of modesty helps to combat personal gain and temptations and so on.


=== Sermon === 

{{quote|
''"My sisters, heed these words, these prods:''<br>
''let these women walk and teach!''<br>
''if it's of humans all they preach,''<br>
''it dies without your intervention.''<br>
''But if the words come from the gods''<br>
''you have no power of prevention."''<br>
}}

The walker knows how to perform the most sacred ordinance of a sect, a sermon. An ordinary sermon can be held very easily. However, if he wants someone to feel guilty or enchanted about following the sermon, a little investment in spell points is needed. He can then either speak for himself or let his god speak using his mouth. If the walker decides to speak for himself, he can choose which commandment or which prohibition from the teachings of the sect he makes central to the sermon. The downside is that the walker himself cannot be inspired by his own sermon. If, on the other hand, the walker lets his god speak using his mouth, the command or prohibition that comes forth in the sermon may be more random. In this case, the walker himself can also be inspired by his sermon. Usually sermons are held on Church of Element prayer poles. If desired, the sermon can be given elsewhere, but with lesser impact.

According to the teachings of the Church of Elements, the Children of Light are expected to follow the virtues prescribed by the church and also to attend regular cleansing rituals at the prayer poles, which include as an essential part the sermon given by the priest. If the listener has lived a virtuous life, he will feel the sermon liberating and empowering. If, on the other hand, he feels that he has lived wickedly or betrayed the church, the sermon will bring to the surface his anxiety and uncertainty.


== Major spellcraft ==


In order for a walker to learn major spellcraft of the Church of Elements, he must sacrifice something of himself and of his own corporeality in exchange. For example, he may abstain completely from all liquids other than water, start wearing the always painfully itchy and tingling horsehair shirt, or refrain from intimate dealings with the opposite or the same sex.


=== The Light ===

{{quote|
''Hearts can't think and heads cant feel''<br>
''But hands can hurt and hands can heal''<br>
''It is easier to hurt you say?''<br>
''But healing is the better way. ''<br>
}}

The walker is able to summon the Light of the Church, making him appear more impressive in nature and even look a little brilliant in appearance. In this form, the conditions are in his favor while trying to convince other believers by speaking or intimidating the pagans and other heretics. In addition, the Light burns the Wilders and can even destroy them.


=== Exorcism ===

{{quote|
''"My daughters, mercy will not fix''<br>
''the pagans and the heretics.''<br>
''Ruthlessness must be the guise''<br>
''of gentleness worn by the wise."''<br>
}}

The walker, knowing secret rites of exorcism can use them to banish wilders and evil undead. However, some enemies of the Church of Light (such as ghosts) cannot be defeated in direct conflict. Sometimes the exorcist sees just a vision sent by his god which tells him the right way to get rid of this specific enemy.

Exorcism can also be used to protect some specific room or area from wilders or ghosts. If a walker protects a small space, such as a small house or room, with this force, representatives of nether or the spirit world cannot enter it without first overcoming the walker's piety.


=== Trance ===


The most dedicated members of the Church sects can ascend into a state of active trance, in which the performer concentrates all his will, power, and intelligence on a single goal, excluding everything else from his mind. The trance of mercy, for example, causes the walker to focus his whole being on helping the suffering, where the trance of perfect perception helps him to notice the signs of black spellcraft and other forms of paganism.

== Greater spellcraft ==


The primary form of Church of Light greater spellcraft is known as a miracle. In order for a walker to learn and use miracles, he must first have the power of sermon. To learn a miracle, a walker must make some extremely significant sacrifice for himself for his faith, e.g. the walker gives up the love of his life, lets all his possessions be distributed to the poor, or voluntarily steps into a scorching fire for his faith.


=== Miracle ===


A miracle is a force that allows a walker to perform such works according to the will of the Church of Light that he would not otherwise be able to perform. Turning wine into water, destroying a superstitious village's crop with a flock of locusts, and healing a crippled are all miracles. However, there are some hard limits to this power that the stories do not tell.