Mantra

Written by The Mad Professor Mantra is the art of asking for divine interference and being granted it. It is treated as separate from Low Magic and Alchemy and is not treated as a skill, but a lore.

Mantra as a Lore
Mantra is treated differently from Low Magic, Alchemy and similar skills, it is in fact not a skill at all, but based around Lore. Unlike these skills Mantra has very few spells, each of which are usually specific to a granted deity which the PC would need to follow at least fairly faithfully in order for the spells granted by the deity to work. Those wishing to play priests of a specific deity may choose to equip themselves with two spells specific to their deity, and will be rewarded with more as moderators see that they act in their gods best interest during in character play.

Spells of Mantra
Mantra spells are similar to Low Magic in that they take a lengthy ritual to complete before having an effect, often these rituals involve prolonged prayer with the possible inclusion of sacrifices to the appropriate god. Due to the necessity of involving a god, Mantra spells will vary in power depending on the person casting it, the situation and if the god approves of the use the spell is being put to. While there are few common denominators in the effects of spells, they will vary according to the deity that is being worshipped, one of the things priests have been known to do is bless various objects. However, the items blessed have different effects, objects blessed by priests of Erina (who typically bless water) have been known to protect against sea monsters, the nuts or seeds blessed by Priests of Akar are effective at warding off the undead, the wine blessed by priests of Lapis is said to be both an aphrodisiac and sure to turn hate into love, the mushrooms blessed by the priests of Il'unno is said to give visions and so on. Apart from this though, the spells available to practitioners of Mantra will vary not only based on the deity they follow, but also the specific cult they are a member of, the Thissies cult of Spire City has a healing spell which works somewhat like a snake shedding its skin, whereas the Thissies cult in Fort Resolve has a spell which brings rain to the fields. Spells will typically fit the deity to which the cult is related though, a priest of Maadrth would never have any kind of healing spell.

The Extent of Mantra
For the most part Mantra spells are limited to the clergy of a certain god. Spells are passed down from priest to priest and the demise of a cult is often the demise of their spells. It should be noted that warrior priests, or paladins, often have Mantra spells too, cults which revolve around warfare usually have spells which aid in battle and the paladins cherish these as gifts from their specific gods. Outside of cults and their holy men and women Mantra spells are rarely seen, they may occasionally be granted by the gods to especially favoured children though.

Exceptions
Dragonkin and others who worship dragons do not use mantra magic as it has no effect for them, along a similar vein, the Dae'vol who worship the Sleeping God do not use mantra for fear of waking him. Demi-gods and lesser deities such as the Walkers also do not answer to mantra spells, though they are occasionally worshipped.

Example Spells
Snake's Blessing: After a full two nights spent in prayer, the Priest may remove any trace of venom or poison from a man's body through the grace of Thissies.

Erina's Calming Hand: By ritually sacrificing their own blood and gifts of alcohol to Erina, a devotee of Erina may calm raging seas.

Future Sight: After spending a fortnight in constant meditation and prayer a priestess of Il'unno may be granted visions of the future.

Charn's Departure: By sacrificing a local leader and two vultures in an elaborate ritual involving prayer and meditation, a priest of Charn may remove the blight of pestilence from a village or town.

The Blossoming of Love: Through extensive prayer and the burning of incense a priestess of Lapis may turn hate to love and end old quarrels between neighbours.