Abidan Archive Wiki - User contributions [en]

Empty Palm

2022-04-28T03:27:30Z

Nxcts: Nxcts moved page The Empty Palm to Empty Palm

{{Cradle NavBox}}{{Stub}}The '''Empty Palm''' technique is a pure [[Sacred Arts#madra|madra]] striker technique originating in [[Sacred Valley]]

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]

Sector

2022-04-28T02:59:10Z

Nxcts: /* Sectors */

A '''Sector''' is a grouping of [[Iteration]]s within the [[Abidan]] method of administrating and organizing the [[Way]]. Iterations are grouped into sectors based on their location in the Way;{{wow ref|1645}} Iterations can be shifted between Sectors, though doing so is difficult and requires a Judge's involvement.{{wow ref|1413}} Each Sector contains ten Iterations, and the Iterations within a Sector are given numbers consisting of the Sector number plus one additional digit.

The [[Spider Division]] runs Sector Control, which consists of groups of Abidan assigned to deal with issues arising in relation to each particular Sector.{{wow ref|30}}{{book ref|c1|6}} Sector Control also has some way of detecting when anyone crosses the Way within their sector.{{book ref|c3|21}}

When [[Ozriel]] appears, with his ability to cleanly eliminate dying Iterations without spreading corruption, the Abidan are able to expand from managing only two hundred fifty Iterations to having ten thousand under their protection, with a thousand of those fully integrated.{{book ref|c3|21}}{{book ref|c7|20}} After he disappears, they decide to protect only twenty core Sectors and evacuate the rest, as the attack on the Abidan continues, they end up keeping control of just ten Sectors.{{book ref|c10|2}}

== Sectors ==

* Sector Zero: The main base of the Abidan; contains [[Sanctum]] and [[Haven]].{{book ref|c4|2}}{{book ref|c7|1}}
* Sector Six: Known for its rich history and art.{{book ref|c1|epilogue}}
* Sector Eleven: Contains [[Cradle]], [[Asylum]], [[Amalgam]], and [[Fathom]].{{book ref|c1|14}}
* Sector Thirteen: Contains [[Suriel]]'s birthplace.{{book ref|c1|epilogue}}
* Sector Twenty-One: Contains [[Limit]] and [[Harrow]].{{book ref|c3|21}}
* Sector Twenty-Three: Contains Suriel's homeworld.{{book ref|c10|21}}
* Sector Twenty-Four: Contains [[Jester]] and [[Commandment]].{{book ref|c3|21}}
* Sectors Ninety to One Hundred: Border worlds in the process of being stabilized.{{book ref|c6|prologue}}

== References ==

<references />

{{books}}
[[Category:Abidan]]

Fathom

2022-04-25T17:29:04Z

Nxcts: Created page with "'''Fathom''' is Iteration 119. Fathom is the lynchpin of Sector Eleven, in the sense that it the greatest population and hence the most stable connection to the [[Way]..."

'''Fathom''' is [[Iteration]] 119. Fathom is the lynchpin of [[Sector]] Eleven, in the sense that it the greatest population and hence the most stable connection to the [[Way]], and so it would have to be destroyed before any of the other Iterations in the Sector could be seriously damaged.{{book ref|c10|21}}

Fathom is the site of a huge battle between the full [[Court of Seven]] and the [[Vroshir]].{{book ref|c10|14}} The Court successfully defends the Iteration from the Vroshir attack, but [[Suriel]] is forced to allow the [[Mad King]] to escape to attack [[Cradle]].{{book ref|c10|21}}

== References ==

<references />

{{Books}}
[[Category:Iterations]]

Asylum

2022-04-25T06:57:59Z

Nxcts:

{{EE Navbox}}
{{Stub}}

'''Asylum''' is [[Iteration]] 112,{{wow ref|1114}} located in [[Sector]] Eleven along with [[Cradle]] and [[Amalgam]].{{book ref|c10|14}} It is the setting for the [[Elder Empire]] series. The [[Abidan]] use this world as a prison world to contain a number of [[Elders|Fiends of Chaos]], or [[Elders|Great Elders]], as they are known by the human population in Asylum.

== References ==

<references />

{{books}}
[[Category:Elder Empire]]
[[Category:Iterations]]

Sector

2022-04-23T22:56:42Z

Nxcts: Created page with "A '''Sector''' is a grouping of Iterations within the Abidan method of administrating and organizing the Way. Iterations are grouped into sectors based on their lo..."

A '''Sector''' is a grouping of [[Iteration]]s within the [[Abidan]] method of administrating and organizing the [[Way]]. Iterations are grouped into sectors based on their location in the Way;{{wow ref|1645}} Iterations can be shifted between Sectors, though doing so is difficult and requires a Judge's involvement.{{wow ref|1413}} Each Sector contains ten Iterations, and the Iterations within a Sector are given numbers consisting of the Sector number plus one additional digit.

The [[Spider Division]] runs Sector Control, which consists of groups of Abidan assigned to deal with issues arising in relation to each particular Sector.{{wow ref|30}}{{book ref|c1|6}} Sector Control also has some way of detecting when anyone crosses the Way within their sector.{{book ref|c3|21}}

When [[Ozriel]] appears, with his ability to cleanly eliminate dying Iterations without spreading corruption, the Abidan are able to expand from managing only two hundred fifty Iterations to having ten thousand under their protection, with a thousand of those fully integrated.{{book ref|c3|21}}{{book ref|c7|20}} After he disappears, they decide to protect only twenty core Sectors and evacuate the rest, as the attack on the Abidan continues, they end up keeping control of just ten Sectors.{{book ref|c10|2}}

== Sectors ==

* Sector Zero: The main base of the Abidan; contains [[Sanctum]] and [[Haven]].{{book ref|c4|2}}{{book ref|c7|1}}
* Sector Six: Known for its rich history and art.{{book ref|c1|epilogue}}
* Sector Eleven: Contains [[Cradle]], [[Asylum]], [[Amalgam]], and [[Fathom]].{{book ref|c1|14}}
* Sector Thirteen: Contains [[Suriel]]'s birthplace.{{book ref|c1|epilogue}}
* Sector Twenty-One: Contains [[Limit]] and [[Harrow]].{{book ref|c3|21}}
* Sector Twenthy-Three: Contains Suriel's homeworld.{{book ref|c10|21}}
* Sector Twenty-Four: Contains [[Jester]] and [[Commandment]].{{book ref|c3|21}}
* Sectors Ninety to One Hundred: Border worlds in the process of being stabilized.{{book ref|c6|prologue}}

== References ==

<references />

{{books}}
[[Category:Abidan]]

Soulfire

2022-04-23T21:58:17Z

Nxcts:

{{Cradle NavBox}}

'''Soulfire''' is a form of condensed [[vital aura]] associated with the [[Lord realm]] of the [[sacred arts]] on [[Cradle]].{{book ref|c3|18}}

== Creation ==

Soulfire is woven from vital aura, mainly by Underlords and higher; the ability to do so is considered the hallmark of a Lord.{{book ref|c4|8}} Those at the peak of Truegold begin gaining the ability to weave soulfire and must learn to control it as part of the process of advancing to Underlord.{{book ref|c4|4}} Once woven, soulfire can be stored in a sacred artist's spirit for later use.{{book ref|c3|10}}

Natural treasures can be burned to fuel the creation of soulfire, as long as the types of aura they produce are in sufficient balance.{{book ref|c6|6}}{{book ref|c6|8}}{{book ref|c10|18}}

== Properties and uses ==

When physically manifested without being specifically directed, soulfire takes the form of a spherical flame. The soulfire of Underlords appears diffuse and colorless; the soulfire of Overlords and Archlords appears progressively denser, brighter, and more silvery.{{book ref|c9|9}}{{book ref|c9|18}}{{book ref|c10|18}}

Soulfire can be used as a power source in a wide variety of ways, including developing Riverseeds,{{book ref|c3|10}} powering scripts,{{book ref|c4|2}}{{book ref|c4|8}}, and strengthening madra techniques.{{book ref|c5|13}}{{book ref|c6|18}} Mundane physical objects can be washed in soulfire, which makes them far stronger and allows them to conduct madra and aura.{{book ref|c3|20}} Completing the advancement from Truegold to Underlord causes soulfire to flow throughout a sacred artist's body and spirit, granting enormously increased power and durability.{{book ref|c4|1}}{{book ref|c5|8}}{{book ref|c6|4}}{{book ref|c6|8}}{{book ref|c6|19}}

Soulfire grants some amount of control over any form of aura, allowing for minor manipulation of the physical world, though the control is far weaker than any proper Ruler technique and essentially useless in battle.{{book ref|c6|6}} For example, sacred artists with enough power and control can use soulfire control over wind aura to fly as if they were wind artists.{{book ref|c7|8}}{{book ref|c7|9}}

The addition of soulfire is the final step in creating [[ghostwater (material)|ghostwater]].{{book ref|c5|17}}

== References ==

<references />

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Magic]]

Eye of the Deep

2022-04-23T21:57:23Z

Nxcts:

{{Cradle NavBox}}

'''Eyes of the Deep''' are memory storage constructs created by [[Northstrider]] in [[Ghostwater (pocket world)|Ghostwater]]. Their purpose is to collect information about the world, then ultimately return to Ghostwater to add their knowledge to the oracle tree, a larger construct within the pocket world that stores and processes information from all the Eyes.{{book ref|c5|15}} The oracle tree also answers a question for and provides a drop of [[Ghostwater (material)|ghostwater]] to anyone who returns an Eye, as a reward.{{book ref|c5|15}} The Eyes also function as guides and access keys within Ghostwater.{{book ref|c5|1}}{{book ref|c5|4}}

Eyes of the Deep are housed in sapphires; the construct causes them to shimmer with white and green light.{{book ref|c5|1}}

== History ==

After years of research in Ghostwater failed to produce a viable [[Presence]], Northstrider created 4,096 Eyes of the Deep and spread them throughout the world to gather and bring back information.{{book ref|c5|18}} One Eye was left with the last Emperor of the [[Blackflame family]] by one of Northstrider's Heralds and was ultimately taken into Ghostwater by [[Lindon]] and [[Renfei]];{{book ref|c5|1}} another ended up with [[Akura Harmony]].{{book ref|c5|14}}

Lindon's Eye of the Deep was damaged by a strike from [[Ekerinatoth]], causing the construct inside to begin dissipating.{{book ref|c5|2}} Fortunately, Lindon was able to merge [[Dross]] with the Eye before its functionality was lost, and Dross used the gem as a housing for a while.{{book ref|c5|7}} Harmony managed to take the Eye containing Dross and return it to the oracle tree, becoming one of the few people to drink two drops of ghostwater, but Lindon retrieved the gem and merged Dross into his spirit.{{book ref|c5|17}}

Ultimately, a total of 2,413 Eyes of the Deep made it back to the oracle tree. Immediately prior to Ghostwater's collapse, Northstrider returned to the oracle tree and extracted the collected memories into his prototype Presence, noticing an anomaly during the process that alerted him to Dross's existence.{{book ref|c5|18}}

== References ==

<references />

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Magic]]

Asylum

2022-04-23T21:54:47Z

Nxcts:

{{EE Navbox}}
{{Stub}}

'''Asylum''' is an [[Iteration]] located in [[Sector]] Eleven.{{book ref|c10|14}} It is the setting for the [[Elder Empire]] series. The [[Abidan]] use this world as a prison world to contain a number of [[Elders|Fiends of Chaos]], or [[Elders|Great Elders]], as they are known by the human population in Asylum.

== References ==

<references />

{{books}}
[[Category:Elder Empire]]
[[Category:Iterations]]

Commandment

2022-04-23T21:47:15Z

Nxcts: Created page with "'''Commandment''' is Iteration 246. Suriel undoes most of the effects of a Vroshir attack on Commandment, but needs to divert her attention to a simultaneous attac..."

'''Commandment''' is [[Iteration]] 246. [[Suriel]] undoes most of the effects of a [[Vroshir]] attack on Commandment, but needs to divert her attention to a simultaneous attack on [[Jester]], allowing the [[Vroshir]] attack force in Commandment to escape with captives.{{book ref|c9|prologue}}

== References ==

<references />

{{Books}}
[[Category:Iterations]]

Jester

2022-04-23T21:44:02Z

Nxcts: Created page with "'''Jester''' is Iteration 247. Suriel fends off a Silverlord attack on Jester, but at the cost of allowing a Vroshir attack force to escape from [[Commandment]..."

'''Jester''' is [[Iteration]] 247. [[Suriel]] fends off a [[Silverlord]] attack on Jester, but at the cost of allowing a [[Vroshir]] attack force to escape from [[Commandment]].{{book ref|c9|prologue}}

== References ==

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{{Books}}
[[Category:Iterations]]

Silverlord

2022-04-23T21:39:12Z

Nxcts:

{{Cradle NavBox}}

The '''Silverlords''' are a subgroup of the [[Vroshir]]. The Silverlords operate by conquering worlds and gathering armies and weapons from them. Individually or in small numbers, they cannot seriously face off against a [[Judge]]; however, there are a large number of Silverlords, to the point that "There are always more Silverlords" is a saying among the Abidan, and collectively they are one of the few entities with enough power to possibly threaten Judges. They typically present themselves wearing silver crowns.{{book ref|c9|prologue}}{{book ref|c3|21}}

The Silverlords are seen attacking [[Jester]],{{book ref|c9|prologue}} and again later when [[Suriel]] draws the [[Court of Seven]] to defend Sector 11.{{book ref|c10|14}}

== References ==
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{{Books}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Vroshir]]

Spirit-fruit

2022-04-23T21:35:55Z

Nxcts:

{{Stub}}{{Cradle NavBox}}

A '''spirit-fruit''' is a type of spirit-enhancing [[elixir]] on [[Cradle]]. Spirit-fruits are produced by certain fruit-bearing sacred plants and may have varying effects on the spirit depending on the type of plant and its madra and aura.{{book ref|c1|2}}

== References ==

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{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]

Spirit Fruit

2022-04-23T21:32:17Z

Nxcts: Nxcts moved page Spirit Fruit to Spirit-fruit

#REDIRECT [[Spirit-fruit]]

Spirit-fruit

2022-04-23T21:32:16Z

Nxcts: Nxcts moved page Spirit Fruit to Spirit-fruit

{{Stub}}{{Cradle NavBox}}

A '''Sprit Fruit''' is a type of spirit-enhancing [[Elixers|elixir]] on [[Cradle]]. Spirit Fruits are produced by certain fruit-bearing sacred plants and may have varying effects on the spirit depending on the type of plant and the madra/aura type of the plant.<sup>[Citation needed]</sup>

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]

Oblivion Wine

2022-04-23T21:30:41Z

Nxcts:

{{Cradle NavBox}}

The '''Oblivion Wine''' is a legendary magical item supposedly sold by the [[Fallen Leaf School]] in [[Sacred Valley]]. It is mentioned in a book that [[Lindon]] reads while preparing for his duel with [[Wei Mon Eri]].{{book ref|c1|4}}

== References ==

<references />

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]

Oblivion Wine

2022-04-23T21:30:19Z

Nxcts:

Consultants

2022-04-23T21:24:12Z

Nxcts:

{{EE Navbox}}
The '''Consultants''' (also known as the Amharanai) are a group of hirable strategists, assassins, and spies.
As of [[Of Darkness and Dawn]] they are lead by [[Shera]].

They are made up of five separate branches: the [[Gardener]]s, the [[Architect]]s, the [[Mason]]s, the [[Shepherd]]s, and the [[Miner]]s.

{{Books}}
[[Category:Elder Empire]]
[[Category:Asylum Guilds]]

Sacred Arts

2022-04-23T08:25:11Z

Nxcts: /* In Brief */

{{Cradle NavBox}}

In the Cradle series, sacred artists practice the '''sacred arts.''' This is Cradle’s “magic” system, based internally, on the soul or spirit. This page provides a quick overview of this progressive power system.

==In Brief==
In the Cradle series, the sacred arts are a kind of magic, centered around the soul and '''spiritual power. '''Following their chosen [[Paths|Path]], sacred artists develop their spiritual power or '''[[Madra|madra]]''' by cycling [[vital aura]] through their body — into their core and through their madra channels. In Cradle's mythos, spirit (madra) is everything. <blockquote>A sacred artist draws vital aura into their core where it merges with their own madra, and they make it part of their spirit. ([https://abidanarchive.com/events/1/#e320 Abidan Archivee320])</blockquote>
The sacred arts are structured in such a way as to naturally lead to [[Advancement Level|advancement]]. Even animals can develop a spirit, in some cases — and become [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beasts]]. Some become highly advanced, progressing to Monarch level. It’s rare, but even ancient sacred trees can develop a spirit and advance in power. One of the highest forms of spiritual power is to touch the heavenly Way and manifest the [[Icons|Icon]] and Authority of a Sage. At the top tiers of advancement, the rare sacred artist can ascend off the world of Cradle and step into [[The Way and The Worlds|the mystical Way]]. Once there, they can continue to progress and advance, and a few join the [[Abidan]]. Some might even join the enemy [[Vroshir]].
<br>When sacred artists die on Cradle, they leave behind a [[Remnant]], which can also be quite powerful.

<blockquote>Sacred artists follow a thousand Paths to power, using their souls to control the forces of the natural world. But Lindon is Unsouled, forbidden to learn the sacred arts of his clan. -(Unsouled synopsis)</blockquote>

==Cradle’s Gravity==
Humans need vital aura and madra — at birth, it’s pure madra — because in this mythos, the planet is just incredibly large, increasing the gravity, the G-forces on the human body. Madra helps strengthen the body enough to withstand these forces. Author Will Wight isn’t too concerned about the “physics of fantasy” but he explains it on his Archives: [[https://abidanarchive.com/events/7/#e734|Abidan Archives]]

==Related Pages==
*[[List of all named Paths]]
*[[Soulsmithing]], including Scripting
*[[Bloodline Abilities]] — Arelius Senses, Akura Armor, Sha Royal Madra, Northstrider Blood Aura Affinity
*[[Magical Items]] — weapons, pills, elixirs, etc. etc.
*[[Advancement Level]] — details on each level, from Foundation to Monarch
**List of [[Monarch factions]]
**List of [[Herald (Advancement)|Heralds]]
**List of [[Icons|Sages / Icons]]
*[[Cradle Glossary]]

==Humans, Animals, & Plants==
On Cradle, humans, animals, and plants can engage in the mystical practice of sacred arts. All humans are born with a spirit and pure madra, and thus they typically catch on naturally in childhood, at least at a simple Foundational or Copper level, if there is even just a little vital aura in the environment. However, some animals and plants could also evolve to practice the sacred arts, in some cases. <br>If an animal or a plant lives long enough in an area rich in a specific vital aura -- earth, stone, water, life, lightning, blood, shadow, fire, force, etc. -- they can absorb enough of the stuff to develop a spirit, and a core, and madra channels. Then they might begin to experience the magical sacred arts, albeit in their own way. And they will leave behind a Remnant when they die.

===Sacred Beasts===
[[Sacred Beasts]] are animals who can engage in the magical sacred arts. In many cases, they are born as dumb animals, but have then lived at least a full century in an environment rich in a specific vital aura, and developed a core, beginning to cycle madra. One such beast is the ancient snowfox [[Elder Whisper]] in [[Sacred Valley]], who absorbed the abundant light aura from Mount Samara for centuries. Lord-level sacred beasts can change shape, such as [[Orthos]] does in book 9, [[Bloodline]]. Some make it to become Monarchs, such as the sacred lion [[Reigan Shen]], and the dragon -- who changes into a boy -- [[Seshethkunaaz]]. When sacred beasts die, they leave behind a valuable and powerful Remnant, especially if they are advanced in the sacred arts.

====Offspring====
If the sire is a sacred beast, the offspring will be born sacred, too, cycling the same madra aspect as their sire. If the sire was just a dumb animal, the offspring will not be born sacred, and will have no spiritual core or madra at birth. They must evolve over centuries to absorb the specific vital aura most prevalent in their environment, and then they can cycle that aspect into madra.
<br>
Unlike humans, [[Sacred Beasts]] are not born with pure madra. They never develop pure madra.

===Sacred Plants===
Plants, especially long-living trees, can do the same, but for them a spirit take at least twice as long to form, compared to animals. Several centuries, at least. Eventually they do develop a spirit -- leaving behind a valuable, powerful Remnant when they die. See [[Emriss Silentborn]] for an interesting example. Also, trees live for centuries in the life-aura-rich southern jungles of the [[Blackflame Empire]]. These trees age, sucking up aura, and develop a spirit, with possibly sight, speech, mobility. Some can walk, or even fly. Talented refiners at Lastleaf Fortress change these sacred plants into elixirs. (See book 4, Skysworn).
<blockquote>Plants had to live much longer to advance than animals did. If a fox or a turtle survived their first century, they would absorb enough vital aura from the world around them to ascend into sacred beasts. These animals cycled madra, advanced in power, and left Remnants just as humans did. The oldest of them could even speak, and legends said some could take human forms. Plants did the same, but it took several times as long. Some trees had to stay undisturbed for five hundred years or more before they absorbed enough vital aura to develop a rudimentary spirit...(Unsouled, ch 2). </blockquote>

==Spirit Beings==
Spirit-beings seem to spring up naturally on Cradle, wherever vital aura is plentiful. They can even occasionally become more sentient, more alive, a character. There are all kinds of spirits. They can be formed of multiple aspects of madra. There are pure nature spirits, like [[Little Blue]]. Shadow spirits. Grave spirits. Plague-spirits killed [[Sha Leiala]]. Dream spirits.<blockquote>“Sylvan Dreamseeds,” Dross explained. “Just like Riverseeds are pure spirits that are born in areas with a strong balance between water and life aura, these little guys are born under the influence of dream aura. From the dream tablets, you see. The library and the Well are here purely to create the right conditions for their birth.” (-Ghostwater) </blockquote>
A [[Remnant]] is kinda-sorta a spirit of the dead. A mind spirit is a sort of intelligence, like [[Dross]], and the Ninecloud Court Spirit, who announces the [[Uncrowned King Tournament]]. A [[Dreadgod]] is, at its essence, a hunger spirit. Storm madra can accumulate over millennia and form a giant spirit of lightning. <blockquote>A huge stormcloud, crackling with sapphire lightning, with two limbs molded to resemble a pair of thick arms. A natural spirit, formed from the Storm Core’s power. (Reaper, ch 6)</blockquote>

==Vital Aura==
In the world, vital aura gathers around the elements it belongs to; for instance, stone aura gathers around stone, and water aura gathers around water. The more of an element that is present, the more aura gathers there. Slowly, and at different speed for different elements, the elements themselves will start to gather the aura, and if left undisturbed for long enough, these veins of vital aura are refined into a higher state. Pools of water will turn into sacred pools, which are often used to refine elixirs, and Titan's Bone, which comes from stone, is almost unbreakable.

===Hunger Aura===
Hunger aura is different. According to [[Subject One]], "Hunger aura is not a natural force. It is a corruption of the natural order of Cradle. A manifestation of ambition, of selfish desire, created by the presence of Monarchs.” It corrupts. Long ago, before intervention, “hunger aura drifted all over the world, and where it moved, all other aura weakened. It corrupted everything; Remnants, natural spirits, sacred beasts. Even humans...When your body and your spirit have both grown too great for this world to contain, you must escape to a place that can contain you.” (Reaper, ch 21)

==Madra==
Madra is the spiritual energy running through our bodies. It is used to power techniques, and “cycling” it and using it for techniques is what we call practicing the sacred arts. As a default, a newborn human baby is born with pure madra in its core, formed fro life, blood, and dream aura within the body. So in early childhood, humans have a pure spirit. This pure madra is the only type that doesn't have a corresponding vital aura from the environment. To get one's core to produce a specific aspect of madra, one must cycle vital aura of the chosen aspect(s), slowly transforming the madra into that kind / aspect. Gradually, a sacred artist can produce the specific aspect of madra. For example, Yerin can cycle aura from anything sharp in the area, and transform it into sword madra.

Madra builds up in the core of a sacred artist, usually just beneath the navel, and madra channels loop from the core throughout the body. This mimics blood veins, but for madra. There are three ways to replenish and expand your madra pool. One, you can cycle it. Two, you can cycle to draw in vital aura from around you. This does have to be aura that is either pure, or of the same aspect as in your core. Three, you can cycle expensive elixirs and pills.

*See more info at [[Madra]], along with a list of aspects.
*See [[Pure Madra]]
*See [[Hunger madra]]
*See unique inherited madra or [[Bloodline Abilities]]

===Hunger Madra===
See [[hunger madra]] and see [[Subject One]]. Hunger madra is the aspect produced by cycling hunger aura. Hunger madra is the relentlessly driving all-consuming power in each [[Dreadgod]] and in hunger madra weapons, like the [[Archstone]].
<blockquote>"You understand the allure of hunger madra, I see. Endless power.” (Reaper, ch 21)</blockquote>

==The Core==
The core of a sacred artist is a space in the body where madra is collected and stored, similar to your chi. Every human sacred artist has a core, at birth filled with pure madra, but after about seven years adapting to a specific aspect: earth, water, shadow, storm, etc. (See [[Madra]] for a list of aspects). However, the [[Heart of Twin Stars]] technique allowed [[Wei Shi Lindon|Lindon]] to split his core while it was still at the pure madra stage, creating two cores.
<br>Core Capacity: The core has limited capacity, determining how much madra an artist can use before needing to replenish. Without intervention, core capacity remains unchanging throughout the levels of advancement. Changing core capacity is a very slow and difficult process. Most sacred artists do not even attempt to grow their core capacity, ignorantly considering it a waste of effort, yielding a poor cost-benefit ratio. The [[Heaven and Earth Purification Wheel]] is a cycling technique developed by [[Eithan Arelius]] that focuses entirely on increasing core capacity. Over the course of years it slowly but dramatically expands the density of the core.

===Madra Channels===
Madra channels are pathways carved in the spirit of a sacred artist, radiating from their core outward to the rest of their body. This allows the artist to pull madra from their core into the rest of their body to be used in different techniques. While all sacred artists have madra channels, the extent to which they reach in the body does vary. If the madra channels do not extend throughout the entire spirit it will eventually impede the ability to advance. <Blockquote> “You're only halfway through pushing madra channels through your entire body, so if you advanced to Iron now, you'd be crippling your own future. Lowgold would be difficult, and you may reach Highgold in your old age.” (Soulsmith)</blockquote>

==Remnants==
Every sacred artist with a viable spirit leaves behind a Remnant upon death. A Remnant is somewhat like a spirit, or ghost, made of madra. Remnants are powerful — the more advanced in life, the more powerful — but not as powerful as when alive, and corporeal. Remnants are used in [[Soulsmithing]] work, and when sacred artists advance to Lowgold, adopting a Remnant and its Goldsign. Humans leave behind a Remnant after death, as with [[Yerin Arelius]]'s master, the [[Sage of the Endless Sword]], in book 1. [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beasts]] leave behind a Remnant. Ancient sacred plants leave Remnants, as did the Ancestral Orus Tree in book 1, Unsouled. The Monarch [[Emriss Silentborn]] is actually a Remnant of a sacred tree.
<br>
However, [[Dreadbeasts]] do not leave a Remnant. They cannot. Their spirit is mangled into their flesh, corrupted by hunger aura. And [[Jai Daishou]] could not leave a viable Remnant, because he’d torn his spirit asunder when he employed the [[Archstone]].
*See also [[Remnant]]

==Advancement==
*This section is kept brief, an overview.
*See the separate page on <b>[[Advancement Level]] </b>for details for each level.
*In the books, ranks or levels are capitalized. Example: He is just a Copper.
A sacred artist may progress through realms of advancement, with clearly defined ranks in each realm. Advancement comes when spiritual development and understanding is ready, and not before, unless it’s forced with expensive elixirs. The known realms are the Foundation Realm, the Gold Realm, and the Lord Realm. Additionally, there are Sages and Heralds and Monarchs.
<br/>

===Levels, at a Glance===
Highlights of each advancement level, in brief. Details are copious on the separate webpage: [[Advancement Level]]
<br>
*Foundation: At the Foundation level, young sacred artists can cycle pure madra to very slightly strengthen their body or activate scripts.
*Copper: The sacred artist develops Copper Sight, an awareness of vital aura in the surrounding environment, and begins to cycle aspected madra.
*Iron: At the Iron level, sacred artists gain an Iron body that increases physical endurance, or flexibility, or speed, etc. See [[Iron body]] by character
*Jade: The sacred artist develops Jade senses, which is spiritual awareness. This is the time to develop an excellent cycling technique and begin to push out the madra channels.
*Gold: Power up! Typically, at Lowgold, a sacred artist will adopt a Remnant and gain a Goldsign. Or else, contract with a [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beast]]. Lindon advanced from Jade to Lowgold using an infusion of Blackflame madra from Orthos, his contracted soulmate. He lacks a true Goldsign but when channeling his Blackflame core, his eyes turn red. The red eyes are not a Goldsign. They are the hallmark of a contracted / bonded partner.
*Underlord: Revelation. Why did I first decide to engage in the sacred arts? Create a soulspace. Reborn in soulfire, body and spirit, with an even more advanced perfect Iron body. Aging process slows down. Ability to create soulfire and activate Underlord-level weapons.
*Overlord: Revelation. Who am I today, as a sacred artist? Reborn in soulfire again. Your soulfire gains a greater depth and potency. Can access more advanced weapons.
*Archlord: Revelation: Where am I going, as a sacred artist? Washed in soulfire a third time, strengthening the body and the spirit even more. Can employ Archlord-level weapons. Aging almost stops.
*Sage : Spiritual power. Authority. Will. Manifest an Icon. Spatial shenanigans. Touch the Way. Aging stops. Ascend.
**List of [[Icons|Sages / Icons]]
**Could also go Herald before Sage.
*Herald : Merge body and spirit. Achieve superior strength. Leap tall buildings in a single step. Aging stops. Ascend.
**List of [[Herald (Advancement)|Heralds]]
*Monarch: Can fart out big fat blobs of hunger aura. Ascend.
**List of [[Monarch factions]]
==Beyond Cradle==
Monarchs, Heralds, and Sages can ascend. The rare and exceptional Archlord, too. Ascending sacred artists step into the blue portal, attended by lesser Abidan guides, and make an afterlife in [[The Way and The Worlds]]. They may eventually join the [[Abidan]] or possibly the criminal [[Vroshir]], but most who ascend from Cradle just start a new life.

==Four Basic Techniques==
There are four basic techniques that a sacred artist will use in battle or daily work and life. As an artist repeatedly employs the same technique, it will become cumulatively engraved into the soul, making the technique faster, stronger, and more versatile. Some madra types are more amenable to certain techniques. At advanced levels, a sacred artist will use a combination of multiple types of techniques. This is known as layering a technique. For example, one can layer a Forger technique onto a Striker technique to give it more solidity.

#<b>A Striker Technique </b> projects the artist’s madra outside the body. These usually "strike" an opponent or object with the madra.
#<b>An Enforcer Technique </b> activates the user's madra to empower one's body or something one is holding. Depending on madra type and technique, the benefits will vary.
#<b>A Forger Technique </b> creates stable, physical manifestations or objects made of madra. These differ from Striker techniques in that they are able to exist independent of their originator once they are created.
#<b>A Ruler Technique </b> employs madra to control the ambient vital aura in the area to create a large scale effect, for example controlling the wind, kicking up a sandstorm, or trapping an opponent within an illusion formed of light and dream aura.
<br>

{{books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Sacred Arts]]

Sacred Arts

2022-04-23T08:24:20Z

Nxcts: /* Vital Aura */

{{Cradle NavBox}}

In the Cradle series, sacred artists practice the '''sacred arts.''' This is Cradle’s “magic” system, based internally, on the soul or spirit. This page provides a quick overview of this progressive power system.

==In Brief==
In the Cradle series, the sacred arts are a kind of magic, centered around the soul and '''spiritual power. '''Following their chosen [[Paths|Path]], sacred artists develop their spiritual power or '''[[Madra|madra]]''' by cycling vital aura through their body — into their core and through their madra channels. In Cradle's mythos, spirit (madra) is everything. <blockquote>A sacred artist draws vital aura into their core where it merges with their own madra, and they make it part of their spirit. ([https://abidanarchive.com/events/1/#e320 Abidan Archivee320])</blockquote>
The sacred arts are structured in such a way as to naturally lead to [[Advancement Level|advancement]]. Even animals can develop a spirit, in some cases — and become [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beasts]]. Some become highly advanced, progressing to Monarch level. It’s rare, but even ancient sacred trees can develop a spirit and advance in power. One of the highest forms of spiritual power is to touch the heavenly Way and manifest the [[Icons|Icon]] and Authority of a Sage. At the top tiers of advancement, the rare sacred artist can ascend off the world of Cradle and step into [[The Way and The Worlds|the mystical Way]]. Once there, they can continue to progress and advance, and a few join the [[Abidan]]. Some might even join the enemy [[Vroshir]].
<br>When sacred artists die on Cradle, they leave behind a [[Remnant]], which can also be quite powerful.

<blockquote>Sacred artists follow a thousand Paths to power, using their souls to control the forces of the natural world. But Lindon is Unsouled, forbidden to learn the sacred arts of his clan. -(Unsouled synopsis)</blockquote>

==Cradle’s Gravity==
Humans need vital aura and madra — at birth, it’s pure madra — because in this mythos, the planet is just incredibly large, increasing the gravity, the G-forces on the human body. Madra helps strengthen the body enough to withstand these forces. Author Will Wight isn’t too concerned about the “physics of fantasy” but he explains it on his Archives: [[https://abidanarchive.com/events/7/#e734|Abidan Archives]]

==Related Pages==
*[[List of all named Paths]]
*[[Soulsmithing]], including Scripting
*[[Bloodline Abilities]] — Arelius Senses, Akura Armor, Sha Royal Madra, Northstrider Blood Aura Affinity
*[[Magical Items]] — weapons, pills, elixirs, etc. etc.
*[[Advancement Level]] — details on each level, from Foundation to Monarch
**List of [[Monarch factions]]
**List of [[Herald (Advancement)|Heralds]]
**List of [[Icons|Sages / Icons]]
*[[Cradle Glossary]]

==Humans, Animals, & Plants==
On Cradle, humans, animals, and plants can engage in the mystical practice of sacred arts. All humans are born with a spirit and pure madra, and thus they typically catch on naturally in childhood, at least at a simple Foundational or Copper level, if there is even just a little vital aura in the environment. However, some animals and plants could also evolve to practice the sacred arts, in some cases. <br>If an animal or a plant lives long enough in an area rich in a specific vital aura -- earth, stone, water, life, lightning, blood, shadow, fire, force, etc. -- they can absorb enough of the stuff to develop a spirit, and a core, and madra channels. Then they might begin to experience the magical sacred arts, albeit in their own way. And they will leave behind a Remnant when they die.

===Sacred Beasts===
[[Sacred Beasts]] are animals who can engage in the magical sacred arts. In many cases, they are born as dumb animals, but have then lived at least a full century in an environment rich in a specific vital aura, and developed a core, beginning to cycle madra. One such beast is the ancient snowfox [[Elder Whisper]] in [[Sacred Valley]], who absorbed the abundant light aura from Mount Samara for centuries. Lord-level sacred beasts can change shape, such as [[Orthos]] does in book 9, [[Bloodline]]. Some make it to become Monarchs, such as the sacred lion [[Reigan Shen]], and the dragon -- who changes into a boy -- [[Seshethkunaaz]]. When sacred beasts die, they leave behind a valuable and powerful Remnant, especially if they are advanced in the sacred arts.

====Offspring====
If the sire is a sacred beast, the offspring will be born sacred, too, cycling the same madra aspect as their sire. If the sire was just a dumb animal, the offspring will not be born sacred, and will have no spiritual core or madra at birth. They must evolve over centuries to absorb the specific vital aura most prevalent in their environment, and then they can cycle that aspect into madra.
<br>
Unlike humans, [[Sacred Beasts]] are not born with pure madra. They never develop pure madra.

===Sacred Plants===
Plants, especially long-living trees, can do the same, but for them a spirit take at least twice as long to form, compared to animals. Several centuries, at least. Eventually they do develop a spirit -- leaving behind a valuable, powerful Remnant when they die. See [[Emriss Silentborn]] for an interesting example. Also, trees live for centuries in the life-aura-rich southern jungles of the [[Blackflame Empire]]. These trees age, sucking up aura, and develop a spirit, with possibly sight, speech, mobility. Some can walk, or even fly. Talented refiners at Lastleaf Fortress change these sacred plants into elixirs. (See book 4, Skysworn).
<blockquote>Plants had to live much longer to advance than animals did. If a fox or a turtle survived their first century, they would absorb enough vital aura from the world around them to ascend into sacred beasts. These animals cycled madra, advanced in power, and left Remnants just as humans did. The oldest of them could even speak, and legends said some could take human forms. Plants did the same, but it took several times as long. Some trees had to stay undisturbed for five hundred years or more before they absorbed enough vital aura to develop a rudimentary spirit...(Unsouled, ch 2). </blockquote>

==Spirit Beings==
Spirit-beings seem to spring up naturally on Cradle, wherever vital aura is plentiful. They can even occasionally become more sentient, more alive, a character. There are all kinds of spirits. They can be formed of multiple aspects of madra. There are pure nature spirits, like [[Little Blue]]. Shadow spirits. Grave spirits. Plague-spirits killed [[Sha Leiala]]. Dream spirits.<blockquote>“Sylvan Dreamseeds,” Dross explained. “Just like Riverseeds are pure spirits that are born in areas with a strong balance between water and life aura, these little guys are born under the influence of dream aura. From the dream tablets, you see. The library and the Well are here purely to create the right conditions for their birth.” (-Ghostwater) </blockquote>
A [[Remnant]] is kinda-sorta a spirit of the dead. A mind spirit is a sort of intelligence, like [[Dross]], and the Ninecloud Court Spirit, who announces the [[Uncrowned King Tournament]]. A [[Dreadgod]] is, at its essence, a hunger spirit. Storm madra can accumulate over millennia and form a giant spirit of lightning. <blockquote>A huge stormcloud, crackling with sapphire lightning, with two limbs molded to resemble a pair of thick arms. A natural spirit, formed from the Storm Core’s power. (Reaper, ch 6)</blockquote>

==Vital Aura==
In the world, vital aura gathers around the elements it belongs to; for instance, stone aura gathers around stone, and water aura gathers around water. The more of an element that is present, the more aura gathers there. Slowly, and at different speed for different elements, the elements themselves will start to gather the aura, and if left undisturbed for long enough, these veins of vital aura are refined into a higher state. Pools of water will turn into sacred pools, which are often used to refine elixirs, and Titan's Bone, which comes from stone, is almost unbreakable.

===Hunger Aura===
Hunger aura is different. According to [[Subject One]], "Hunger aura is not a natural force. It is a corruption of the natural order of Cradle. A manifestation of ambition, of selfish desire, created by the presence of Monarchs.” It corrupts. Long ago, before intervention, “hunger aura drifted all over the world, and where it moved, all other aura weakened. It corrupted everything; Remnants, natural spirits, sacred beasts. Even humans...When your body and your spirit have both grown too great for this world to contain, you must escape to a place that can contain you.” (Reaper, ch 21)

==Madra==
Madra is the spiritual energy running through our bodies. It is used to power techniques, and “cycling” it and using it for techniques is what we call practicing the sacred arts. As a default, a newborn human baby is born with pure madra in its core, formed fro life, blood, and dream aura within the body. So in early childhood, humans have a pure spirit. This pure madra is the only type that doesn't have a corresponding vital aura from the environment. To get one's core to produce a specific aspect of madra, one must cycle vital aura of the chosen aspect(s), slowly transforming the madra into that kind / aspect. Gradually, a sacred artist can produce the specific aspect of madra. For example, Yerin can cycle aura from anything sharp in the area, and transform it into sword madra.

Madra builds up in the core of a sacred artist, usually just beneath the navel, and madra channels loop from the core throughout the body. This mimics blood veins, but for madra. There are three ways to replenish and expand your madra pool. One, you can cycle it. Two, you can cycle to draw in vital aura from around you. This does have to be aura that is either pure, or of the same aspect as in your core. Three, you can cycle expensive elixirs and pills.

*See more info at [[Madra]], along with a list of aspects.
*See [[Pure Madra]]
*See [[Hunger madra]]
*See unique inherited madra or [[Bloodline Abilities]]

===Hunger Madra===
See [[hunger madra]] and see [[Subject One]]. Hunger madra is the aspect produced by cycling hunger aura. Hunger madra is the relentlessly driving all-consuming power in each [[Dreadgod]] and in hunger madra weapons, like the [[Archstone]].
<blockquote>"You understand the allure of hunger madra, I see. Endless power.” (Reaper, ch 21)</blockquote>

==The Core==
The core of a sacred artist is a space in the body where madra is collected and stored, similar to your chi. Every human sacred artist has a core, at birth filled with pure madra, but after about seven years adapting to a specific aspect: earth, water, shadow, storm, etc. (See [[Madra]] for a list of aspects). However, the [[Heart of Twin Stars]] technique allowed [[Wei Shi Lindon|Lindon]] to split his core while it was still at the pure madra stage, creating two cores.
<br>Core Capacity: The core has limited capacity, determining how much madra an artist can use before needing to replenish. Without intervention, core capacity remains unchanging throughout the levels of advancement. Changing core capacity is a very slow and difficult process. Most sacred artists do not even attempt to grow their core capacity, ignorantly considering it a waste of effort, yielding a poor cost-benefit ratio. The [[Heaven and Earth Purification Wheel]] is a cycling technique developed by [[Eithan Arelius]] that focuses entirely on increasing core capacity. Over the course of years it slowly but dramatically expands the density of the core.

===Madra Channels===
Madra channels are pathways carved in the spirit of a sacred artist, radiating from their core outward to the rest of their body. This allows the artist to pull madra from their core into the rest of their body to be used in different techniques. While all sacred artists have madra channels, the extent to which they reach in the body does vary. If the madra channels do not extend throughout the entire spirit it will eventually impede the ability to advance. <Blockquote> “You're only halfway through pushing madra channels through your entire body, so if you advanced to Iron now, you'd be crippling your own future. Lowgold would be difficult, and you may reach Highgold in your old age.” (Soulsmith)</blockquote>

==Remnants==
Every sacred artist with a viable spirit leaves behind a Remnant upon death. A Remnant is somewhat like a spirit, or ghost, made of madra. Remnants are powerful — the more advanced in life, the more powerful — but not as powerful as when alive, and corporeal. Remnants are used in [[Soulsmithing]] work, and when sacred artists advance to Lowgold, adopting a Remnant and its Goldsign. Humans leave behind a Remnant after death, as with [[Yerin Arelius]]'s master, the [[Sage of the Endless Sword]], in book 1. [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beasts]] leave behind a Remnant. Ancient sacred plants leave Remnants, as did the Ancestral Orus Tree in book 1, Unsouled. The Monarch [[Emriss Silentborn]] is actually a Remnant of a sacred tree.
<br>
However, [[Dreadbeasts]] do not leave a Remnant. They cannot. Their spirit is mangled into their flesh, corrupted by hunger aura. And [[Jai Daishou]] could not leave a viable Remnant, because he’d torn his spirit asunder when he employed the [[Archstone]].
*See also [[Remnant]]

==Advancement==
*This section is kept brief, an overview.
*See the separate page on <b>[[Advancement Level]] </b>for details for each level.
*In the books, ranks or levels are capitalized. Example: He is just a Copper.
A sacred artist may progress through realms of advancement, with clearly defined ranks in each realm. Advancement comes when spiritual development and understanding is ready, and not before, unless it’s forced with expensive elixirs. The known realms are the Foundation Realm, the Gold Realm, and the Lord Realm. Additionally, there are Sages and Heralds and Monarchs.
<br/>

===Levels, at a Glance===
Highlights of each advancement level, in brief. Details are copious on the separate webpage: [[Advancement Level]]
<br>
*Foundation: At the Foundation level, young sacred artists can cycle pure madra to very slightly strengthen their body or activate scripts.
*Copper: The sacred artist develops Copper Sight, an awareness of vital aura in the surrounding environment, and begins to cycle aspected madra.
*Iron: At the Iron level, sacred artists gain an Iron body that increases physical endurance, or flexibility, or speed, etc. See [[Iron body]] by character
*Jade: The sacred artist develops Jade senses, which is spiritual awareness. This is the time to develop an excellent cycling technique and begin to push out the madra channels.
*Gold: Power up! Typically, at Lowgold, a sacred artist will adopt a Remnant and gain a Goldsign. Or else, contract with a [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beast]]. Lindon advanced from Jade to Lowgold using an infusion of Blackflame madra from Orthos, his contracted soulmate. He lacks a true Goldsign but when channeling his Blackflame core, his eyes turn red. The red eyes are not a Goldsign. They are the hallmark of a contracted / bonded partner.
*Underlord: Revelation. Why did I first decide to engage in the sacred arts? Create a soulspace. Reborn in soulfire, body and spirit, with an even more advanced perfect Iron body. Aging process slows down. Ability to create soulfire and activate Underlord-level weapons.
*Overlord: Revelation. Who am I today, as a sacred artist? Reborn in soulfire again. Your soulfire gains a greater depth and potency. Can access more advanced weapons.
*Archlord: Revelation: Where am I going, as a sacred artist? Washed in soulfire a third time, strengthening the body and the spirit even more. Can employ Archlord-level weapons. Aging almost stops.
*Sage : Spiritual power. Authority. Will. Manifest an Icon. Spatial shenanigans. Touch the Way. Aging stops. Ascend.
**List of [[Icons|Sages / Icons]]
**Could also go Herald before Sage.
*Herald : Merge body and spirit. Achieve superior strength. Leap tall buildings in a single step. Aging stops. Ascend.
**List of [[Herald (Advancement)|Heralds]]
*Monarch: Can fart out big fat blobs of hunger aura. Ascend.
**List of [[Monarch factions]]
==Beyond Cradle==
Monarchs, Heralds, and Sages can ascend. The rare and exceptional Archlord, too. Ascending sacred artists step into the blue portal, attended by lesser Abidan guides, and make an afterlife in [[The Way and The Worlds]]. They may eventually join the [[Abidan]] or possibly the criminal [[Vroshir]], but most who ascend from Cradle just start a new life.

==Four Basic Techniques==
There are four basic techniques that a sacred artist will use in battle or daily work and life. As an artist repeatedly employs the same technique, it will become cumulatively engraved into the soul, making the technique faster, stronger, and more versatile. Some madra types are more amenable to certain techniques. At advanced levels, a sacred artist will use a combination of multiple types of techniques. This is known as layering a technique. For example, one can layer a Forger technique onto a Striker technique to give it more solidity.

#<b>A Striker Technique </b> projects the artist’s madra outside the body. These usually "strike" an opponent or object with the madra.
#<b>An Enforcer Technique </b> activates the user's madra to empower one's body or something one is holding. Depending on madra type and technique, the benefits will vary.
#<b>A Forger Technique </b> creates stable, physical manifestations or objects made of madra. These differ from Striker techniques in that they are able to exist independent of their originator once they are created.
#<b>A Ruler Technique </b> employs madra to control the ambient vital aura in the area to create a large scale effect, for example controlling the wind, kicking up a sandstorm, or trapping an opponent within an illusion formed of light and dream aura.
<br>

{{books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Sacred Arts]]

Advancement Level

2022-04-23T07:10:34Z

Nxcts: /* Advancement: Humans vs Beasts */

{{Cradle NavBox}}

'''The sacred arts''' are Cradle’s “magic” system. This page provides a detailed and extensive description of the advancement levels or ranks within this system.

==General Notes==
===Editing tips===
*In the books, ranks or levels are capitalized. He is just a Copper. Icon is capitalized, too.
*However, the words madra, aura, sacred artist, sacred arts, revelation, and soulfire are not capitalized.
*In the books, it’s written Lowgold, not Low Gold. Highgold, Truegold. And soulfire.
*Let’s be succinct and stick mainly to known facts cuz the page is long. Gratitude.

===Advancement & Gravity===
Advancement is a survival skill on Cradle. Humans need vital aura and madra — at birth, it’s pure madra — because in this mythos, the planet is just incredibly large, increasing the gravity, the G-forces on the human body. Madra helps strengthen the body enough to withstand these forces. Author Will Wight isn’t too concerned about the “physics of fantasy” but he explains it on his Archives: [[https://abidanarchive.com/events/7/#e734 Abidan Archives734]]

===Advancement: Humans vs Beasts===
Humans, some beasts, and even the occasional tree might engage in the [[Sacred Arts|sacred arts]], albeit differently. Following their chosen Path, sacred artists develop their spiritual power or '''madra''' by cycling [[vital aura]]. The sacred arts are structured in such a way as to naturally lead to advancement. However, humans advance differently than sacred beasts or sacred trees.
*See more details at [[Sacred Beasts]] or [[Sacred Arts]]

==Levels: At a Glance==

Highlights of each advancement level, in brief. Details are copious in the sections further below.
<br>
*Foundation: At the Foundation level, young sacred artists can cycle pure madra to very slightly strengthen their body or activate scripts.
*Copper: The sacred artist develops Copper Sight, an awareness of vital aura in the surrounding environment, and begins to cycle aspected madra.
*Iron: At the Iron level, sacred artists gain an Iron body that increases physical endurance, or flexibility, or speed, etc.
*Jade: The sacred artist develops Jade senses, which is spiritual awareness. This is also the last stage to prepare ahead for the Gold Realm and beyond by developing an excellent cycling technique and beginning to really push the madra channels throughout the entire body.
*Gold: Power up! Typically, at Lowgold, a sacred artist will adopt a Remnant and gain a Goldsign. Or else, contract with a [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beast]]. Lindon advanced from Jade to Lowgold using an infusion of Blackflame madra from Orthos, his contracted soulmate. He lacks a true Goldsign but when channeling his Blackflame core, his eyes turn red. The red eyes are not a Goldsign. They are the hallmark of a contracted / bonded partner.
*Underlord: Revelation: Why did I first decide to engage in the sacred arts? Create a soulspace. Reborn in soulfire, body and spirit, with an even more advanced perfect Iron body. Aging process slows down. Ability to create soulfire and activate Lord-level weapons, to limited extent. Increased spiritual and physical power.
*Overlord: Revelation: Who am I today, as a sacred artist? Reborn in soulfire again. Your soulfire gains a greater depth and potency. Can access more advanced weapons. Increased spiritual and physical power.
*Archlord: Revelation: Where am I going, as a sacred artist? Washed in soulfire a third time, strengthening the body and the spirit even more. Can employ Archlord-level weapons. Increased spiritual and physical power. Aging slows significantly. Ascend- maybe. “Herald, Sage, even some Archlords make it out by their own power.” (Bloodline ch 1)
*Sage : Authority. Will. Grow in spiritual power. Manifest an Icon. Spatial shenanigans. Touch the Way. Aging stops. Ascend.
**Ordering of Sage/Herald order could go either way.
*Herald : Merge body and spirit. Achieve superior strength. Leap tall buildings in a single step. Aging stops. Ascend.
*Monarch: Can fart out big fat blobs of hunger aura. Ascend.
*Ascension: Sages, Heralds, and Monarchs — even some Archlords — are advanced enough to ascend from this Iteration into [[The Way and The Worlds]]. Simply step through a portal, guided by [[Abidan]] attendants. But beware of the [[Vroshir]].

==Advancement Intro==
A sacred artist may progress through realms of advancement, with clearly defined ranks in each realm. Advancement comes when physical and spiritual development and understanding is ready, and not before, unless it’s forced with expensive elixirs. The known realms are the Foundation Realm, the Gold Realm, and the Lord Realm. Additionally, beyond that, there are Sages and Heralds and Monarchs.
<br/><br/>
Every child begins at the Foundation level with pure madra. Then, at Copper, the child may gradually begin to cycle a specific madra aspect, or in rare cases, keep a pure core. (See [[Madra]]) Only the rarest and most committed sacred artist might possibly advance to the Lord Realm, or even beyond, to Sage or Herald, typically after they reach Archlord —- but not always. The highest advancement level on Cradle is Monarch. (Unless the monstrous and nearly immortal [[Dreadgod]] is counted as a level.)

==The Foundation Realm==
In childhood, typically. The main effort and role of the Foundation Realm is to set and create the very foundation that a Sacred Artist will use for the rest of their life. A weak foundation will limit their future advancement, while a strong one can carry them far beyond Gold.

===Foundation Level===
All citizens of Cradle are born at the foundation stage. Outside of children, the only people that remain at this primary stage are the spiritually crippled. This level grants the individual the ability to sense their own core and madra. Compared to all other sacred artists they are spiritually weak and have the bodies of normal humans. They are capable of activating weak scripts and can employ simple techniques, though doing so quickly exhausts them. Foundation stage artists can cycle but are not yet able to cycle the vital aura of the world.

===Copper Level===
Most sacred artists naturally advance to Copper as children. To do so, the first step is to build up a certain amount of pure madra. This can be done over time through simple or advanced cycling techniques. Alternatively, spirit fruit, elixirs, and constructs such as parasite rings can be used to artificially increase the amount of madra one has. Once a critical mass is reached, one encapsulates their loose core in a barrier/sphere of their own madra. The individual then uses their madra to squeeze their core until it can be compressed no further. This process is uncomfortable at the start and slightly painful in the last moments as one feels a great pressure bearing down on their very spirit. The individual may lose consciousness for a time at the end of this process while their soul advances. This process changes an individual's core from a loose collection of madra, to a small but bright star of madra within themselves. Condensing one's core gives one several benefits.

::'''Strengths and benefits of Copper:'''

::*The primary ability gained is what sacred artists call Copper Sight. This sight allows one to see the vital aura in the world around them. The seven most commonly cycled kinds of vital aura in the world are fire, earth, wind, water, force, blood, and life. They are not necessarily the easiest to find, but they are the easiest to cultivate. Depending on the density of that vital aura, its appearance when seen with Copper Sight can vary from dull and limited to intensely bright and overwhelming. It is important to note that some varieties of vital aura are far harder to see than others and may take time and training to see (one such example being death aura). Copper Sight varies by Path and individual; one artist may see the world and the vital aura around them very differently from another artist on a different path. Generally, the aura an artist gathers will be the most prominent in the surrounding environmental, especially as they advance and learn to find aura in different places.
::*Conjoined with Copper sight is the capability to begin cycling vital aura into themselves and their core. Over time, as one cycles the barest amount of aura through their core, the core will eventually take on these aspects and begin to produce that madra on its own.
::*With the condensing of one's core comes a potency and quantity of madra that was previously unachievable. An individual can now use a more varied selection of techniques and power more potent scripts.

<br>Note, following Eithan’s instructions, Lindon began to cycle the [[Heaven and Earth Purification Wheel]] at this stage, and to use the parasite ring, rather than waiting until Jade, as more typically done. However, he was on the verge of Iron, and his core is [[Pure Madra|pure madra]]. (See book 2, Soulsmith)

===Iron Level===
(Note — in the books, the word body isn’t capitalized. It’s written Iron body.)
<br>Achieving Iron can be a very painful endeavor, and some handle it better than others. There are three distinct types of Iron bodies, and the type of Iron body an artist achieves will have a significant effect on their future advancement. To reach the beginning of Iron advancement, one must first stretch their core to increase the amount of madra they can hold at once. Eventually, they will reach the point where their core will feel like it is about to overflow. To reach this point an artist may use varied cycling techniques as well as a variety of other methods, elixirs, fruits, and constructs to aid their growth. A simple and inexpensive way to do this is to have the artist forge their own scales, and then once their core is full again, they consume their scales to push the boundaries of their core and force it to stretch and grow. At this point, a sacred artist's next steps will determine the type of Iron body they will have.

====Iron body====
Regarding terminology, the author says: “There are actually grades of Perfect Iron body, so of course they're not all perfect. The terminology I regret, but I'm stuck with it now.” (Will Wight, conversation)

* See [[Iron body]] for a list of Iron bodies by character

====Grades of Iron====

:# '''Basic Iron Body'''. To achieve, once the artist's core feels like overflowing, they allow it to pour through their body as it reforges their body with madra. The artist will enter a trance during this process while their body is purged of impurities, and their body is remade. While this body grants great strength, speed, and durability, it will inhibit the artist's future advancement. If a prodigy, the artist may reach Truegold in their old age. But an imperfect Iron body would never be able to endure the soulfire transformation required to become an underlord/underlady.
:# '''Perfect Iron Body'''. To achieve this Iron body, a sacred artist must first reach the same threshold as required by the basic Iron body. However, before the artist allows their core to overflow, they must first use a cycling technique to infuse every inch of their body with madra. If they allow their core to overflow and begin the transformation before the process of infusion begins, they will be limited to a basic Iron body and will never reach the heights that a Perfect Iron body may allow them to achieve. On top of having a strong foundation for future advancement, a perfect Iron body is physically superior to a basic Iron body.
:# '''Advanced Perfect Iron Body'''. The highest and greatest Iron bodies give advantages and abilities beyond that of a perfect Iron body. To achieve an advanced perfect Iron body a sacred artist follows the same process required for a perfect Iron body, with an extra step added between infusing ones body and allowing their core's madra to wash through them. There is a great variety of advanced perfect Iron bodies, with each having its own requirements and granting certain benefits and abilities. Most of these abilities even develop and increase as one advances in the sacred arts. Methods of achieving an advanced Perfect Iron body vary depending on the specific outcome one is trying to achieve. However, different methods include repeatedly breaking every bone in one's body, repeatedly burning all the flesh one has, being bitten by a sand viper while simultaneously drinking its blood, and being wrapped in cloud-like silk while being suspended in the air for days on end. Additionally, as one advances, elixirs can further strengthen an already advanced perfect Iron body. For example, the Arelius cousins [[House Arelius#Veris & Altavian|Veris and Altavian]] gave strengthening elixirs to Yerin and Lindon, at the [[18th Uncrowned King Tournament]]

====Character Examples====
Characters with advanced Perfect Iron bodies:
* [[Lindon]] has the Bloodforged Iron body, which increases resistance against poison, and grants increased self-regeneration
*[[Eithan]] has the Raindrop Iron body, which increases one's reflexes and reaction speed
*[[Akura Mercy]] has the The Puppeteer’s Iron body, which grants perfect control of one's own body
*[[Yerin]] has the Steel Forged Iron body, which gives the user increasingly overwhelming strength the further they advance in the sacred arts

====Iron Benefits====
:* Achieving Iron grants a sacred artist a core that has an increased capacity to hold madra, and a strength of madra beyond that of Copper.
:* A body that has been remade by madra and purged of impurities. The body of an Iron artist is without a doubt superhuman. They are faster, stronger, and more durable by far than any normal human being. It is said that it takes ten coppers to challenge an Iron, and ten Irons to challenge a Jade. This has not been shown to be strictly true, but the saying serves as a rough guide and helps to illustrate the strength that is granted by an Iron body. (The inaccuracy of the statement is mostly due to the fact that the beginning and the peak of any given stage can have vast differences in power. This becomes more true at the height of the rank.)
:* The last benefit is the varied abilities an advanced Perfect Iron body can give.

===Jade Level===
At Jade, the sacred artist develops Jade senses, which is spiritual awareness. This is also the last stage to prep for the Gold Realm and beyond by developing an excellent cycling technique and beginning to really push out the madra channels throughout the entire body. Just as Iron renews and reforges the body, Jade has a similar effect on the Spirit. The base steps of reaching Jade is twofold. The first, like advancing to Iron, is to reach beyond the capacity of one's core. This is done slowly and over time. At each different advancement, the core is also able to grow until it reaches a certain threshold at which point it approaches the limit. The second critical step is to create a spiral in one's core through a cycling technique. Once the artist’s madra reaches a certain threshold of concentration and power while holding the Spiral pattern, they reach Jade.

:The process one takes to reach Jade has a significant impact on the quality of the Jade soul and the likelihood of future advancement. The key factor in the Jade advancement process is the cycling technique one uses. If one does not have a strong enough Jade cycling technique, the spiritual foundation will become shakier and shakier with each advancement, until their spirit is no longer strong enough to advance. Techniques that grant firm spiritual foundations are rare, powerful, and highly valued. Such techniques have long and complicated histories, and some are closely guarded secrets. The [[Heaven and Earth Purification Wheel]] (HaEPW)developed by [[Eithan Arelius]] is one example. Every path has its own Jade cycling technique that focuses on a different field. Some focus on processing aura efficiently, others help you recover your madra in a minute, and the HaEPW focuses on deepening one's core, increasing its density.
====Jade Benefits====
:* The spiraling motion of a Jade core condenses the quality of one's madra, increase receptivity to spiritual forces, speeds up madra recovery, and increases control over one's madra.
:* The greatest benefit of Jade is the gaining of a spiritual sense that allows an artist to sense madra and the madra of others. This sense can greatly increase with practice, skill and cultivation rank.
:* The spiral pattern of Jade is what allows for the containment of enough power to reach Gold. Eventually, the suction force of one's spiraling core will be strong enough to contain a Remnant.

==Gold Realm==
While the Foundation Realm is dedicated to setting a strong physical and spiritual foundation for advancement, the Gold Realm revolves around the accumulation and refinement of power. [[Orthos]] explains this to [[Lindon]] when he advances:
<blockquote>Iron had come with a new body, and Jade with a new soul. Compared to those changes, this felt too simple. Maybe if he had adopted a Remnant, instead of taking in power through a contract, he would have seen a real difference.
Orthos gingerly stretched out a leg, wincing at the pain. “Humans make every stage into a legend. A Lowgold is just a Jade with teeth. The only difference between Jade and Gold is a mountain of power.” He gave Lindon a look that radiated smug pride. “Now you see the real glory of Blackflame.” (Blackflame ch 19)</blockquote>

===Lowgold===
The rank of Lowgold can be obtained in one of three ways, and they all involve increasing power. Regardless of the process a sacred artist takes, the primary difference between Jade and Lowgold is a ''mountain'' of power.

: Three ways to reach Lowgold:
:#One way to reach Lowgold is simply gathering power over time: “It would take you hundreds of years and a ridiculous amount of unnecessary work, but you could do it.” One could also increase power through costly elixirs and pills. Or one could do both. This slow and/or expensive process is likely how sacred artists achieved Lowgold before the process for using a Remnant was discovered. In modern times it is likely only used by those with pure madra.
:#The second and most common path is taking a compatible [[Remnant]] into one's core. This Remnant is a spiritual remainder made of madra. It can come from either a human or a sacred beast and usually breaches the power gap between Jade and Lowgold. Adopting a Remnant comes with a Goldsign. Goldsigns come in two categories. The first type alters a physical characteristic. Examples include metallic frozen hair in the [[Jai Clan]], a mouth like a serpent, and limbs covered in slick shadow. The second category are those that add on to one's form. Such Goldsigns include the addition of [[Yerin]]’s bladed limbs, Naru wings, etc. When one takes in a Remnant, one must learn to control and absorb it, and some are very powerful. If the [[Remnant]] is not carefully selected for compatibility, it could cause great damage, as seen with [[Jai Long]].
:# The third way to reach Lowgold is to quickly increase power by contracting with a [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beast]] of greater power and advancement. This is done via a spiritually binding contract where the sacred artist and sacred beast swear to share cores and power. See [[Orthos]] and [[Lindon]]. The eyes change color to reflect the bonded partner (“You don’t need a Remnant to have a Goldsign” said Eithan, Blackflame, ch 20).

===Lowgold / Gold Benefits===
* The first and major advantage is actually entering the Gold realm of the sacred arts, wherein the potency and power is far beyond that of any Foundation realm sacred artist.
*As one's madra is stronger, their Iron body is also reinforced and grows more potent.
*One's spiritual sense increases in potency
**This pattern of increased strength and spiritual perception repeats when advancing from Lowgold to Highgold and from Highgold to Truegold.
*Also, there is an additional benefit to contracting with another sacred being, as Lindon did with Orthos to advance to Lowgold: The universe itself recognizes the unity between spiritually bonded individuals. This unity allowed Lindon to extend his mantle of protection over his bonded turtle Orthos and his bonded spirit, Little Blue, in book 10, Reaper.

===Highgold===
: To reach Highgold, there are different steps depending on which process a sacred artist took to reach Lowgold, adopting a Remnant or not. Regardless, the basic requirement is for the artist to grow such a great quantity of madra that it will naturally and rapidly be drawn into their core, like a drain had opened in their core. Basically the great 'mass' of their madra causes it to condense and become far, far more dense and potent.
: The Paths:
:* For those who accrue madra naturally and/or by contracting with a sacred beast, they must cycle, stretch and grow their core until they can hold the quantity/density of madra that causes the condensation and advancement to Highgold.
:* For those that take in a Remnant, the path includes the above and a few more steps. They may just do as above, but it is quicker and more productive for the artist to digest and master their Remnant. An artist can not reach the peak of Truegold and advance beyond unless and until they master it. To reach Highgold, an artist must learn to use more than the excess energy the Remnant provides. This is normally done by breaking down the Remnant and digesting its skills, abilities, and power.

===Truegold===
Truegold is the highest level within the Gold Realm. For the vast majority of the people of Cradle, Truegold is considered the limit of what one can reasonably achieve. Of course, among the most powerful clans, achieving the Lord Realm is a possibility. Even still, it is only the strong, brilliant, and utterly determined who may reach these heights. Unlike the Gold Realm where one may jump from Lowgold to Truegold in just two pills, there is no elixir or spirit fruit that can take one into the Lord Realm. To venture into the Lord Realm there are requirements beyond pure power. It is here that the foundation of one's body, soul, and character is truly tested and reborn.
<br> Before one may advance beyond the Gold Realm, a sacred artist must first achieve the 'Peak' of Truegold. To reach beyond these extreme limits and to have one's body and soul remade in soulfire is the very essence of stepping into the Lord Realm. A sacred artist has achieved the Peak of Truegold when they have masterful control of their own spirit and madra, to the very limit of what a perfect Jade soul may allow.

==Soulfire==

<blockquote> A dull gray spark passed from the middle of the broom where Eithan gripped it, washing along to both ends. Soulfire: the signature of an Underlord.. . Soulfire itself, and the process of weaving it from vital aura, gave Lords powers that no Gold could access. (Blackflame ch 18)</blockquote>

Soulfire is the hallmark of the Lord Realm. It is purified vital aura, with no impurities or imperfections. When created, it is stored in one's soul space and may be used by the sacred artist in a variety of ways. By its very nature, soulfire does not consume, but rather burns away impurities as it refines physical vessels and empowers madra. Underladies and Underlords often use soulfire to imbue both items and techniques, vastly increasing their strength and power. As a sacred artist possessing soulfire has mastered the world around them, they may also use it to control the vital aura of the world. This process is generally not as powerful as ruler techniques and is thus not often used in battle. It is, however, very useful in daily life. And it’s of tremendous importance when [[Soulsmithing]] advanced constructs, including weapons.

<b><u>Excerpt: Madra, Soulfire, & Will </b> </u>
<blockquote> Eithan stroked his chin. “Picture, if you will, a building with many floors. Each floor is higher than the last, and each supports the one above it. These floors are the laws that govern our existence. At the bottom, the foundation, are the physical laws.” He clapped his hands together. “It’s no less complex than the other systems, and it forms the basis for all of them, but it is superseded by the level above it.”
<br>He spread his palms apart slightly to reveal the blue-white coin he’d Forged. “Madra.” A snap, and the madra disappeared. “With madra, we can break and bend and overrule the physical laws that would have bound us otherwise. Within certain rules and limits, of course. If we continue this analogy, soulfire is the staircase between the madra system and the next level up. At which we exert our wills to control the world directly.” (Bloodline ch 4) </blockquote>

Soulfire is the hallmark of the Lord Realm, but the demarcation between Truegold and Lord is not cast in concrete. For example, a peak Truegold who has actually woven a little soulfire can even challenge a new or weaker Underlord. [[Jai Long]] could externally conjure up a little soulfire while at peak Truegold. <blockquote> He resumed his training, this time letting soulfire leak into his techniques. A small colorless spark infused one of the snakes that he produced. He couldn’t infuse his techniques with soulfire while they were inside him — his body and spirit still couldn’t handle it — but he could refine techniques with soulfire as he used them. It was clumsy compared to what a real Underlord could do, like trying to paint while holding the brush with his toes, but at least there wasn’t much any other Truegold could do to him. (Reaper, ch 5)</blockquote>

==The Lord Realm==
Soulfire is the Signature of the Lord Realm. Having reached the peak of Truegold, there are three steps to advancing to the Lord Realm, but these steps are beyond the simple accumulation of power and require insight into oneself and the world. It is for this reason that Truegold is often the last step on a sacred artist’s journey. There are many who attempt the work, but for one reason or another become stuck and never enter the Lord Realm.

==Underlord & Lady==
There are three steps to reaching Underlord & Underlady, all cumulating in a personal revelation that looks backward in time: Why did I first begin to follow the sacred arts? What pushed me forward? When this insight resonates within, one reaches outward, to the vital aura all around, and is then washed in soulfire, reborn, rejuvenated, body and soul. This is detailed below:
# '''Master yourself'''. Using the power of a peak Truegold and masterful control of one's spirit, a sacred artist must open a space in the very center of one's spirit, the center of their being. At that very point, they must flex their spirit, like expanding an invisible lung. There will be a strain, like pulling in a breath of mud, before the sacred artist will feel space open in their soul. This opening is called a Soulspace and may be used to store a single item in one's very soul. When first opened this space is small, barely large enough to hold a bean. With time and effort, a sacred artist may expand this space until they are able to hold a much larger and more powerful object.
# '''Master the world around you'''. A sacred artist begins by learning to sense the unity of aura. All vital aura is connected, and power flows from one aspect to another. Once one can sense this unity, they can begin to weave soulfire from the vital aura. In order to train one's self in this, a specific mantra can be used to guide the process. "Follow the unity of Aura. Each aspect links to the next. Vital Aura has no beginning and no end, it is all one." Once the artist begins to feel the unity of aura flowing in the world around them, they can 'pull' on that aura, bringing it into themselves and distilling it into soulfire. This process is far easier when one weaves soulfire from powerful natural treasures but can be done from the loose vital aura of the world as well.
# '''Connect yourself to the world'''. Once a sacred artist has opened their soul space and filled it with soul fire, they connect themselves to the world around them by calling upon their soul fire and the vital aura of the world to reforge their body from soul fire. Igniting the transformation is quite difficult. Many Underladies and Underlords can not themselves say what it is that began their transformation. As mysterious as this step is, the truly wise have passed on their wisdom to their disciples. To begin the soulfire transformation, one must have a true and deep understanding of themselves and have a personal revelation that causes the soulfire within to resonate with the vital aura around them, activating the advancement. Over time this revelation has specifically been discovered to be the true reason one pursues the sacred arts. The mantra from above continues "Follow the Unity of Aura. Soul Fire is Vital Aura distilled, it is the power of the world condensed. Feel how it resonates with everything around you, drawing you closer to nature. Now follow that sensation back to yourself, deep into your soul, into your mind. Now, why do you practice the sacred arts?"

One strategy of finding this personal truth was shared by Akura Mercy, "follow your fear". Rather than asking what goal one travels to, what is it that drives one from behind.

Once this revelation is achieved, the transformation will begin. One's personal revelation connects them to their own spirit and then soulfire carries that resonance to the outside world. That then draws on the aura to fuel one's soulfire and burn away one's body and spirit, leaving one reborn as a Lord or Lady. The more soulfire one has, the easier it is to trigger the resonance. Some find their reason but don't have enough soulfire to trigger the resonance.

==Overlord & Lady==
In Sects and Kingdoms outside of a Monarch's direct family or clan, Overlords and Overladies are Kings and Empresses, the peak of their people's power. The fate of whole nations and peoples are decided by the life and actions of such a one. For example, Emperor [[Naru Huan]] of the [[Blackflame Empire]] is an Overlord, as is King Dakota of the [[Seishen Kingdom]]. Both are vassals to Monarch Akura Malice.

The advance from Underlord to Overlord is easier than from Truegold to Underlord. One has to accumulate power and gain another personal insight. “One had to be at the peak of Underlord to trigger the advancement to Overlord, at least if you ever wanted to advance again, and peak Underlords were almost always older.” (Wintersteel ch 6)

The Overlord revelation is who you are now, in the present. This is different from the Underlord revelation, which was what got you started on your journey into the [[Sacred Arts|sacred arts]], in your past. What pushed you forward. What fear drove you on? But the Overlord insight is concerned with the present, not the past.

<br>Eithan gave Lindon some tips for advancement. It seems they overlap with Sage insights, but then, Eithan is prescient and perspicacious: <blockquote> “Think about the will behind each of your three types of madra. The significance. The intentions. What do they have in common? Is there one purpose that unifies everything you can do?” Lindon paid rapt attention, but the portal was starting to physically pull Eithan in. It looked like he was struggling against a strong wind. “Also, think of how others see you. What are you to them? This perspective will help you understand your revelation!” (Wintersteel ch 7) </blockquote>
As for himself, Eithan advanced rapidly and easily to Overlord:
<blockquote> He stepped into the natural treasure storeroom, feeling his soulfire resonate with the surrounding aura. He stretched out to the treasures he needed, striking a balance, and held his attention on them as he focused on his Overlord revelation. He had discovered it long ago, and it hadn’t changed. “I. . .see.” It wasn’t as simple a statement as it sounded. It described who he was. Eithan was one who saw. He happened to know that Cladia’s Overlord revelation had been very similar. He thought about that as his chosen treasures evaporated and Overlord soulfire passed through him in a breath, refining and strengthening him. The advancement to Overlord wasn’t as dramatic a leap as the one to Underlord, and he easily controlled the reaction to avoid losing his clothes. A good thing, too. He was fond of this outfit. Seconds after he entered the storeroom, he stepped back out. (Wintersteel, ch 7)</blockquote>

==Archlord & Lady==
The Archlord revelation is looking into the future. It is who you are going to be, what you are moving towards, with respect to the sacred arts, as we saw in Lindon's Archlord advancement in book 10, Reaper. So, to recap:
*The Underlord revelation — the past. Why did I first begin to practice the sacred arts?
*Overlord revelation — the present. Who am I today, how do others see me, vis-à-vis the sacred arts?
*Archlord revelation — the future. Where am I going, who will I become, as a sacred artist?

With the vital aura in resonance, Archlord soulfire sweeps through the sacred artist, refining and strengthening both physically and spiritually. The advanced sacred artist now has even more power than at Overlord rank, and far, far more than when an Underlord: <blockquote> The difference between Underlord and Archlord was like the distance between the lowest valley and the highest stars. There was no Archlord in all the Blackflame Empire. (Bloodline ch 9)</blockquote>
<br>Even in the great families of Monarchs, many view Archladies and Archlords as the peak of what can be achieved. Known characters at Archlord level are [[Akura Justice]] and [[Ziel]], provisionally.

Archlords, steeped in great power, are typically not yet capable of ascending beyond Cradle, but it is possible for an exceptional Archlord to ascend. “Herald, Sage, even some Archlords make it out by their own power.” (Bloodline ch 1)

Also, aging slows to a crawl. Archlords can love for hundreds of years, possibly a thousand.

===Lord Realm Benefits===
One obvious benefit to advancement into the Lord realm is the increase in spiritual and physical power.

Another benefit of advancing to the Lord Realm is the use of soulfire. No sacred artist employs soulfire better than did [[Eithan Arelius]] during his duel with [[Sha Miara]] in the [[18th Uncrowned King Tournament]]. <Blockquote> A Hollow Spear suffused with soulfire pierced her lower abdomen as black scissors flashed into his hand. He couldn’t safely activate the Archlord binding within, but he didn’t need to. The weapon was a perfect conductor for madra and soulfire. He Enforced the weapon and drove it through her temple. No sooner had he pierced the skin than she dissolved into white light. Eithan sent one more pulse of pure madra into the device in his pocket: a stopwatch. Nine seconds. (Wintersteel chapter 3) </blockquote>

An additional benefit is the ability to form a soul space and place items inside it, if only tiny beans at first.

Plus, for every level one advances into the Lord Realm, one’s spirit and body is washed and reborn in soulfire. This rejuvenation is powerful, increasing physical and spiritual strength. When this happens, the individual doesn’t need as much sleep and the aging process slows down more with each new level. Archlords can live for hundreds and hundreds of years. The Iron body becomes more resistant to poison and impervious to assault. By the time [[Ziel]] reached Archlord, he’d been washed in soulfire three times, resulting in a guy who looks 18, when he’s actually 35.
Also, with each advancement into the Lord Realm, one can better employ weapons forged with advanced bindings. <blockquote>Netherclaw “swept down with an Archlord’s power. As with all the bindings in these weapons, Netherclaw’s technique would be more powerful when Yerin was an actual Archlady, but it was still a devastating blow.” (Wintersteel chapter 21)</blockquote>

==Beyond Archlord==
Archlord is just an amazing achievement. Only a handful of sacred artists achieve Archlord, and only the rarest and most dedicated advance beyond it.

Sages, Heralds, and Monarchs are advanced enough to ascend from this iteration into [[The Way and The Worlds]]. Even an exceptional Archlord could advance. Someday, they could possibly even join the [[Abidan]] forces and maintain order and the [[Eledari Pact]]. Or — they might side with the [[Vroshir]], and possibly even merge with a Fiend, as did [[Vroshir|The Mad King]].

Aging stops for Sage, Heralds, and Monarchs.

The advancement order here is flexible, but to advance to Monarch, it seems that one must first go through Sage and Herald levels. One could skip Sage and go on to Herald, and vice-versa. For example, Akura Fury, at the time ranked Herald, manifested Sage Authority and immediately after that, an Icon appeared overhead, the Fist, thus advancing him to Monarch. It all happened together at once, but he’d been waiting with his power to advance, to attack [[Xorrus]] and three more dragon Heralds. <blockquote> That’s called the Strength Icon, or the Fist Icon, or the Symbol of Bodily Power, depending on where you’re from.] An Icon. Fury had broken through. He was ascending to Monarch. (Wintersteel ch 25)</blockquote>

==Sage==
A Sage is usually — but not always — a peak Archlord or Archlady who has manifested an Icon of Authority and is able to touch The Way. It’s a spiritual power, and the [[Icons|Icon]] is inherent to the Way itself. Though being an Archlord makes becoming a Sage easier due to the boost in power it provides, one only has to be an Underlord in order to do it — in Lindon’s case. It is possible that it is more difficult to become a Sage than it is for one to advance to Herald.

“Becoming a Sage takes mostly individual insight and accomplishment, so there’s only so much that can be taught or trained.” (Wintersteel chapter 21) Becoming a Sage requires deep insight, vast reserves of willpower, and embodying a concept thoroughly enough to be recognized for it by something greater. Sage rank is usually achieved by those who forge their own Paths.

===Icon===
<b> See [[Icons#List of Known Icons|List of Icons per Sage]] </b>
<br>
An Icon is a signature of Authority, bestowed by the mystical Way. A Lord manifests an Icon when the Way recognizes him/her as the living embodiment of a concept. An Icon is an embodiment of a concept greater than humanity and the mark of a Sage. Those who are able to manifest an Icon gain the ability to command reality itself and to brush against [[The Way and The Worlds|The Way]].
<blockquote> "To become a Sage, you have to contact a greater power, a symbol of a greater concept of reality. We call that symbol an Icon.” (Wintersteel, ch 7, [[Min Shuei]] the Winter Sage, speaking to Yerin)</blockquote>
<blockquote> “In the past, the concept of a Sage was much more. . .fluid. . .than it is today. When manifesting an Icon, it is very important to understand the significance of your madra and to sense it deeply. Equally important is some kind of technique to regularly train your willpower. For years. An exercise that pushes your focus and concentration ever further, and that most people would give up or abandon for easier trails…. . . “Now, the specific Icon you manifest depends not only on the nature of your madra currently, but on a concept that has always been core to your identity. Even in childhood." (Wintersteel, ch 27, [[Eithan]] speaking to Lindon)</blockquote>

===Sage Benefits===
Advanced spiritual perception. Greater will. Will is a big deal for a Sage, but increasing madra density, maybe not so much. With enough practice, ability to create rifts, void spaces, teleport, etc. The ability to place your mantle of protection over your bonded partners. It is speculated that Sages are the lowest stage capable of touching/sensing [[The Way and The Worlds|'''''The Way''''']]'''''.''''' This is commonly called Authority and allows the direct manipulation of the world around the Sage through an application of Will. The [[Abidan]] are said to prefer Sages for ascension because they are already able to access the Way.

Though the aging process for Archlords is very slow, Sages, Heralds, and Monarchs do not age at all. Also, Sages, Heralds, and Monarchs are capable of ascending beyond Cradle.

==Herald==
The rank of Herald is usually achieved by peak Archlords. Advancement occurs typically by fusing with one’s own Remnant, thus becoming half physical and half spirit. The spirit that’s been forming within the sacred artist is now made complete. Being half spirit, Heralds are no longer limited by their physical capabilities or madra channels.
<br>
<b>See [[Herald (Advancement)|List of Known Heralds]] </b>

[[Ziel]] and [[Eithan Arelius]] discuss how to reach Herald: <blockquote> “Besides, if you can reach peak Archlord, you know what it takes to become a Herald? Brute force.” <br>

“Brute force as in enough raw resources to choke a Monarch, but you left out the part where you need such a thorough understanding of your own spirit that you and your Remnant can work together.” Ziel gave Eithan a smug look. “Don’t think that just because I’m young I haven’t done my research.” Just as many sacred artists remained stuck at different stages in the Lord realm because they didn’t understand how to pass their revelations, many Archlords remained stuck because they had no one to teach them how to reach Herald. Often, by the time they did find someone to tell them the truth, their spirits were twisted against them. Sometimes because of injury, or broken oaths, and sometimes because their spirits hated them. (Reaper, ch 17)</blockquote>

===Herald: Yerin+Ruby===
In Wintersteel(Cradle #8) [[Yerin Arelius]] becomes a Herald at Overlady. “There is no such thing as an Overlord Herald,” Northstrider said. His stony face quirked into a small smile. (Wintersteel ch 25)

Yerin did so by fusing with her spirit, [[The Bleeding Phoenix|Blood Shadow, Ruby]]. Ruby is, at her core, a hunger spirit, with hunger madra as well as blood madra (Wintersteel ch 22). Yerin and Ruby both agreed to combine, mutually, but it was still very difficult to do:<blockquote> She gripped Ruby’s robe with renewed intensity. “We should combine.” Ruby narrowed one eye. “You cracked in the head?” “Like Heralds do with their Remnants!” Yerin insisted.. . . “Bleed and bury me,” Ruby said, “I’m in.” .. . They clasped identical hands. Yerin opened her spirit and focused her will, pulling the Blood Shadow back into her spirit. Where she belonged. Ruby didn’t melt and flow back into Yerin’s spirit, but while Yerin was pulling, Ruby started to push. Her own will flowed into Yerin, trying to take over Yerin’s body as Yerin fought to take her spirit. It was so much harder than Yerin had expected.. . After a few endless seconds of intense struggle, their wills snapped into place. They wanted the same thing, after all, they were just coming at it from different angles. Red madra began to flow through Yerin’s channels in reverse. And her silver madra let it happen. (Wintersteel ch 25)</blockquote>
The [[Sage of Red Faith]], founder of the [[Dreadgod cult]] Redmoon Hall, is obsessed with Yerin. He wants to examine her, find out how she succeeded with her Blood Shadow while his own shadow decieved him.

===Herald Benefits===
Like Sages, Heralds do not age and can ascend from Cradle to [[The Way and The Worlds]].
<br>They are exceedingly powerful. They have been known to raze cities and destroy vast forests. Their power is legendary and far beyond the vast majority of the billions who live on Cradle.

<blockquote>“That, ladies and gentlemen, illustrates the strength of Heralds. While Sages focus their willpower outside of themselves, to make changes to the world directly, Heralds focus it inwardly. They enhance their own power beyond all limitations.” (Bloodline ch 4) </blockquote>
Heralds can shift between physical and spirtual form:
<blockquote> Northstrider reappeared before her. “A Herald’s spirit and body are one. You can use your power freely, and your own body can shift to spiritual or physical form. Like sacred instruments that can be stored in a soulspace.. . You will not be a true Herald until you advance to the peak of Archlord the traditional way, but you can think of yourself as being. . .more than any other Overlord.” He looked into the black orb as though checking something. “It’s fascinating. The Blood Sage will do anything to examine you. I would advise you not to let him.” (Wintersteel ch 25) </blockquote>
Many Heralds never advance to Monarch. Instead, they ascend, leaving Cradle behind them. [[Akura Fury]] ascended within days or advancing to Monarch.

==Monarch==
*See list of [[Monarch factions]]
Monarch is the highest level of advancement the sacred artist can obtain without ascending from the iteration. Their power is just ridiculous. They do not age, often living for centuries but looking quite young. For example, [[Reigan Shen]] was a young Underlord more than 500 years ago, during the [[Dread Wars]].
<br>Monarchs can hear their name spoken from anywhere on Cradle, it seems. <blockquote> He had heard repeatedly about the Monarch ability to hear their name spoken. He still didn’t fully understand it —- Monarchs were figures of myths and legends, so surely there were too many people talking about them all over the world to pay attention to everyone. (Wintersteel ch 2)</blockquote>

Obviously, a Monarch has even greater Authority over reality than Sages or Heralds. However, capabilities with certain aspects of Authority still vary from one Monarch to another, or from a Monarch to a Sage or Herald. Though the power differential between Monarchs and Heralds /Sages is not verified, it is said that one Monarch is roughly equal to at least four Heralds or Sages combined. Consider also the [[Eight-Man Empire]], which operates as a functional Monarch even though all eight members are Sages or Heralds.

For example, at Sky’s Edge, four cult leaders at Herald or Sage rank battled one newborn Monarch, [[Akura Fury]] (Wintersteel ch 26) <blockquote> Chunks of the surrounding mountains hurled themselves at Fury, courtesy of the Abyssal Palace Herald. The Herald of Redmoon Hall struck with waves of bloody needles like crimson cloud banks, while the Herald of the Silent Servants cut at Fury with endless slashes of a white sword that lit up the sky. The Stormcallers had no Herald, but one Sage. It was hard for Lindon to follow the exact details of the fight, but the Sage of Calling Storms seemed to be wrestling against Fury’s authority, opposing whenever Fury made one of his echoing commands. Lindon could feel the will pressing down on Fury, constraining him. The newborn Monarch kept fighting. (Wintersteel ch 26) </blockquote>
===Advancing to Monarch===
“Monarchs are those who have advanced both to Herald and to Sage” (Wintersteel, ch 13)
<br>
“Questioner: Can an Archlord get to Monarch without becoming a Sage?
<br>Will Wight (paraphrased): Yes. ([https://abidanarchive.com/events/1/#e519 Archives e519])”
<br>
An explanation: For an Archlord to become a Monarch without hitting Sage, they must advance to Herald first, and then manifest an Icon. Gaining an Icon at Herald doesn't make you a Herald + Sage, it makes you a Monarch. Conversely if a Sage manifests their Remnant and successfully merges with it, they become a Monarch and not Sage + Herald. For example, the Herald [[Akura Fury]] manifested the [[Icons|Strength Icon]] and advanced to Monarch (Wintersteel, ch 26).

<br>Advancing to Monarch from either the Sage or the Herald level is explained as focusing on opposing ideas: <Blockquote> As it turned out, there were reasons beyond the mystical why Heralds found it difficult to comprehend Sage techniques, and vice-versa. They required almost entirely opposite training methods. To become stronger as a Herald, Yerin had to push herself to the limit and accumulate power. It took a mind-boggling quantity of resources to push one to the peak of Herald, which was the way to maximize the chances of a successful advancement to Monarch. She had to cycle diligently, take every elixir she could afford, and fight often. Yerin found that an easy road to travel. But to advance as a Sage, Lindon had to meditate on his Icon, and take actions to “align himself conceptually to its deeper meaning.” (Reaper, ch 6) </blockquote>

===Northstrider’s Advancement===
When he was a Sage, Northstrider advanced to Monarch, perhaps with a quick kick into Herald. He did this by meditating for hours, manifesting his own dragon Remnant in front of him — it looked like black flame and seemed to be made almost entirely of blood madra — and then drawing his spirit into his flesh, merging with it, fusing spirit and flesh together <blockquote> Northstrider draws his Remnant into his flesh, and his Remnant resists. Their wills clash, the spirit trying to consume him even as he does the same. Though it involves no sacred techniques, only a straightforward competition of focus and resolve, it is the deadliest fight of his life. Being a Sage makes this harder. His Remnant has power and authority beyond what an ordinary Archlord’s spirit should. If he fails, he can’t simply try again. There’s a real possibility that his very existence will be erased. But his will is steel. He weaves his own Remnant into his body, spirit becoming flesh and flesh fusing with spirit. For the final time in his life, his body is remade. Reality itself quakes at the birth of a Monarch. (Wintersteel chapter 2) </blockquote>

===Monarchs at War===
Monarchs do not age, as already stated, but they are known to die in combat. A few years before the Cradle series begins, Monarch [[Reigan Shen]] killed Monarch [[Tiberian Arelius]]. The battle ravaged the land. During the first book (Unsouled), the Sha Monarch died because her lifeline was cut short when battling nasty plague-spirits, which left her daughter, young [[Sha Miara]], on the throne. Long long ago, the ancient tree Herald [[Emriss Silentborn]] was murdered by a few Monarchs because she was too eager to make an open-information, global learning community. But she reformed from the many Remnants of her ancient leaves, becoming the current Remnant Monarch.

<br>Monarchs have obscene amounts of power, but as we learn in Reaper, they are the source of hunger aura, as they refuse to ascend, and the world cannot contain them. They generate corruptive hunger aura. They are the reason that [[Dreadgod]]s exist. Then they must battle the beasts. More than five hundred years ago, during the apocalyptic [[Dread Wars]], billions of people died and only two Monarchs survived. (See also [[hunger madra]])

==Ascension==
Archlords can -— in rare cases —- ascend: “Herald, Sage, even some Archlords make it out by their own power” (Bloodline ch 1), but typically, only Sages, Heralds, and Monarchs are advanced enough to ascend from this iteration and travel into [[The Way and The Worlds]]. It is just a step through a portal into the blue yonder. Someday, they could possibly even join the [[Abidan]] forces. Or they might side with the [[Vroshir]], and possibly even merge with a Fiend, as did [[Vroshir|The Mad King]]. Perhaps they will find the missing Reaper, [[Ozriel]].
<br>[[Akura Fury]] ascends, stepping into the portal, taking his family along:<blockquote>Two figures flanked the portal on either side, each dressed in seamless eggshell-white armor. Abidan, like the one who had hijacked the Uncrowned King tournament. They stood under banners that depicted a stylized fox wrapped in its own tail, and as Lindon watched, the fox on the banner curled up tight. As though the ink was alive and the noise had interrupted its sleep. “Welcome to Threshold, adept,” a dark-skinned woman announced. Though she didn’t sound like she’d raised her voice, her words echoed through the room. “You take your first steps into the world beyond.” “Thanks!” Uncle Fury said brightly. “Let’s go, everybody!” (Bloodline ch 2)</blockquote>

According to Suriel, sixth Judge of the Abidan, even young [[Wei Shi Lindon]] can already ascend, at Underlord-Sage. <blockquote> Suriel had given Lindon the marble so that she could find him again if and when he ascended. Or possibly when he faced the choice of whether or not to ascend. This was too early, and her Presence knew that. Then again, that was only something she had decided herself. She hadn’t spoken any sort of oath. And Lindon had manifested an Icon, even brushing against the Way at a rudimentary level. Technically, he could ascend now, far ahead of schedule. That should be rewarded. Begin transmission, Suriel commanded. (Bloodline, ch 17)</blockquote>

{{Books}}

[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Sacred Arts]]
[[Category:Cradle Advancement]]

Pure Madra

2022-04-23T07:09:05Z

Nxcts:

Useful Links= See also [[Madra]] and [[Sacred Arts]]

==Summary==
Pure madra (or Human madra) is the spiritual energy inborn to babies on Cradle. In contrast, [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beasts]] are never born with pure madra, nor do they ever cycle it as adults. Pure madra is produced naturally by human babies and young children. Some few adults continue to cycle pure madra throughout their lifetime, and never cycle an aspect, but this is rare.

<br>Pure madra is compatible with all aspects of madra. As such, it can form the base for any [[List of all named Paths|Path]]. Pure madra has a natural advantage when it comes to spiritual attacks, but it cannot affect the physical world as there is no pure aura. Another side effect of there being no pure aura is that pure madra paths are generally hard to advance as most sacred artists take in [[vital aura]] to increase their power. Pure madra is also known to be useful to sacred beasts. [[Seshethkunaaz]], a gold dragon, formed a contract and the pure madra he received from it allowed him to change his path. [[Orthos]], a black dragon turtle, received scales of pure madra from Eithan Arelius. This helped calm his ravaged spirit, combined with his contract with Lindon, who has one pure core, and with spiritual cleansing from the pure nature spirit [[Little Blue]].
*see also [[Sacred Arts]]

===Properties===

*Pure madra possesses a natural ability to shake the spirit.
*Pure madra is compatible with every madra aspect, but dilutes it.
==Principles of Pure Madra ==
<blockquote> Ziel paced down the shelves until he found the tablet he wanted. The Script Lord, Archlord on the Path of Whispering Wind: the Creation of the Seven Principles. Ziel nodded to it. “For you.” (Ghostwater ch 12)</blockquote>
*''The Seven Principles of Pure Madra - The Script Lord''
**Emptiness
**Cleansing
**[Unknown]
<blockquote> But he understood enough. Even a brief glimpse into an Archlord's revision of pure madra cycling techniques gave him a better sense for the mechanics involved. That vague, intuitive feeling was invaluable. He tried running the technique again, this time modifying his cycling pattern based on the Archlord's thoughts. He had been trying to cycle pure madra like water, but it wasn't water madra.. . Pure madra was lighter, more delicate, more adaptable. But it still strengthened the body naturally. It was the foundation on which all other aspects of madra were layered. ....(Ghostwater ch 12)</blockquote> From this dream tablet, Lindon creates and practices a technique he names THE SOUL CLOAK
*Different pure madra paths can emphasize different aspects of pure madra.

===Creatures/Constructs===

*Sylvan Riverseeds, perfectly balanced nature spirits. Example: [[Little Blue]]
*Madra Engine

===Users===

*[[Wei Shi Lindon|Wei Shi Lindon Arelius]]
*[[Eithan Arelius]]
*[[Sha Miara]] — But Royal Sha Madra is not pure, it’s mutated pure madra. See also [[Bloodline Abilities]]

Void key

2022-04-23T07:01:10Z

Nxcts: Created page with "{{Cradle NavBox}} A '''void key''' is a magical item on Cradle that provides access to an interdimensional space separate from the main world,{{book ref|c5|10}} known as..."

{{Cradle NavBox}}

A '''void key''' is a magical item on [[Cradle]] that provides access to an interdimensional space separate from the main world,{{book ref|c5|10}} known as a '''void space''' (though "void key" is often informally used to refer to the spaces as well).{{book ref|c6|19}} Void keys are quite rare, even for [[Sacred Arts#The Lord Realm|Lords]]; creating them requires the powers of at least a [[Sage (Advancement)|Sage]].{{book ref|c5|10}} Relatedly, Sages skilled in spatial manipulation can open their own private void spaces directly using their own authority, without needing a separate artifact.{{book ref|c8|prologue}}

The physical part of a void key can literally look like a tiny key, although only one has been explicitly described.{{book ref|c5|10}} Void keys open when the physical key is provided with a flow of [[madra]]. Only a tiny amount of madra is required, but keeping a key open does require a certain level of concentration.{{book ref|c5|10}}{{book ref|c6|10}}

Void spaces can be of widely varying sizes, ranging at least from a picnic basket to a large [[cloudship]].{{book ref|c8|10}}{{book ref|c8|11}} Void keys are categorized into different grades, presumably based on their size, with at least low-grade, high-grade, and top-grade keys in use.{{book ref|c8|9}}{{book ref|c8|10}}

Living beings can stay inside closed void spaces with no immediate problem, but most spaces are not set up to support survival and would be difficult to stay in for long due to their limited volume of air.{{wow ref|1124}} Also, someone's presence inside a void space somehow interferes with the ability to use spatial manipulation to move the void key in the outside world. Spirits, though, are much "lighter" in some sense and don't cause the same problem.{{wow ref|1442}}

The [[Dawn Sky Palace]] is a void key that is specially set up with a house and the ability to support life inside it.{{book ref|c8|19}}{{book ref|c10|9}} Some [[Akura family|Akura]] void keys are filled with shadow madra, preventing anyone from seeing inside them.{{book ref|c6|20}}{{book ref|c8|13}}

== References ==

<references />

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Magic]]

Eye of the Deep

2022-04-21T00:18:45Z

Nxcts: Created page with "{{Cradle NavBox}} '''Eyes of the Deep''' are memory storage constructs created by Northstrider in Ghostwater. Their purpose is to collect in..."

Jai Chen

2022-04-20T20:34:40Z

Nxcts: /* Arelius Sight */

{{Cradle NavBox}}{{Cradle Character|Name=Jai Chen|Path=Unknown|Faction=Jai Clan|Origin=Black Flame Empire|First Appearance=[[Soulsmith]] - Cradle book 2|image=Jai Chen.png|Siblings=[[Jai Long]]}}
Jai Chen is Jai Long’s sister. She is eight years younger than him. The siblings are very close. Chen first appears as a tertiary character in book 2, [[Soulsmith]]. By book 10, she has developed an interesting madra and is one of the founders of the [[Twin Star Sect]].

==Chen’s Childhood==
Chen was born with a promising future into the then-prominent [[Jai Clan]], highly ranked in the [[Blackflame Empire]]. As a child, she lived in Serpent’s Grave, the heart of Jai power, where the Patriarch [[Jai Daishou]] kept a palace on Shiryu Mountain. However, she was largely ignored after suffering a seemingly incurable injury to her madra channels when she was attacked in bed at only six years old. She is the younger sister of [[Jai Long]], who is eight years older than her. Because of his own sudden facial deformation, incurred during the same attack that injured his little sister, he was exiled to the [[Desolate Wilds]], despite his promise and ability. Still a child, Jai Chen went “out west” along with her big brother. They found a home with the [[Sandviper Sect]] in the [[Desolate Wilds]], a bleak place with twisted black trees and numerous dreadbeasts. They sought the powerful [[Ancestor’s Spear]] in the ancient [[Labyrinth]] — the Transcendent Ruins. She lived out west for about 8 years, roughly. Then, in book 2 [[Soulsmith]], three strangers came to the Ruins — [[Lindon]], [[Yerin]] and [[Eithan Arelius]] — and her future was set in motion, so she went East with her brother to Serpent’s Grave.

==Age & Appearance==
Jai Chen is roughly the same age as [[Wei Shi Lindon Arelius]] (Skysworn, ch 4). She’s a young teenage girl in book 2 [[Soulsmith]], about 14 years old. By book 10, she’s probably about 19. Dark hair and eyes, dainty, soft looking, small-framed. Wears blue robes.

{{Quote Box|title=Jai Chen|quote=''"About his age, she was small and pale, with <br> soft black hair that tumbled down past her <br> shoulders. She was dressed in powder-blue robes|source=-Skysworn, ch. 4|align=left}}

{{Quote Box|title=Soft|quote=''"She was a small woman...<br>and she looked...soft. <br> In every sense of the word. <br> Eyes, skin, hair, hands, demeanor. <br> Soft. But...soft didn’t always mean weak."''|source=-Bloodline|align=left}}

==Character==
Warm-hearted, loyal, trusting, patient, determined, brave, long-suffering, yet still able to giggle at the absurd. Strong. Picked up the broken [[Ancestor’s Spear]]head and used it to kill her enemy ([[Skysworn]])

==Injuries==
When she was six years old, Jai Chen suffered from a crippling disability (mangled madra channels) as the result of an attack by a [[Remnant]]. She went to the [[Desolate Wilds]] with her brother [[Jai Long]], who was only fourteen. Befriended by the [[Sandviper Sect]], they made a home in the wilderness. Her brother searched for a way to gain power and to heal her. She was healed by [[Wei Shi Lindon Arelius]] and [[Little Blue]] and seems to have unique, possibly living madra due to the original Remnant attack and various subsequent events.

==Path==
Unclear. As a child, she would probably have been Foundational following the Jai Clan sacred arts -- the [[Path of the Stellar Spear]]. However, that ended when she was injured. After Lindon and [[Little Blue]] healed her in book 3, [[Blackflame]], she could finally begin to cycle. However, she utilizes a unique blend of aspects. Her Path will be unique. In book 4, [[Skysworn]], Eithan examines her, after she was exposed to the dangerous [[Archstone]] and the powerful tip of the [[Ancestor’s Spear]]: <blockquote>Eithan ran his spiritual sense through her soul. Thanks to Sylvan Riverseed's touch, her madra channels had been rebalanced, cleansed, and purified. Without that, she would have lost control of her madra and died already. As it was, she was just barely holding on. A sack stuffed to capacity and coming apart at the seams, but not in danger of bursting. “Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do for her,” Eithan said, and Jai Long's twisted face began to fall behind his mask. “...but fortunately, there's also no need. She will survive this. And her core will be filled with quite unique madra, so that's a treat. You were quite lucky that Lindon and I were here, and that Lindon's Blackflame core was empty, otherwise the madra would have reached a critical imbalance. As it is, none of our madra conflicted too badly with each other. They will blend together in her.. . .But then...well, she has a unique Path ahead of her.” ([[Skysworn]])</blockquote>

==Arelius Sight==
Chen accidentally gained a measure of Lindon and Eithan’s pure madra and the famous Arelius [[Bloodline Abilities]] when she used the [[Ancestor’s Spear]] to kill Jai Daishou while he was employing the [[Archstone]]. To use her borrowed Arelius Senses, she will have to expend madra, while Eithan's works naturally. Also, she didn’t inherit this Bloodline Trait genetically and cannot pass it on ([[Skysworn]])</blockquote>
<br>
In [[Bloodline]], book 9, Chen tells Eithan that her dragon spirit Fingerling can use his borrowed Arelius [[Bloodline Abilities]] better than she can:<blockquote > I seem to recall that you were able to use a version of my bloodline power. Can you still see things through strands of madra around you?”. .…<br> “Only if I concentrate,” Jai Chen said happily, and Jai Long cursed his own failure. He had raised her to be too trusting. She gestured to her dragon. “He’s better at it. If he really tries, he can see things over a mile away.” (Bloodline, ch 9)</blockquote >

In [[Reaper]], she advances to Lowgold, after Lindon gives her cycling advice. She has no Goldsign. As a Lowgold, she improves at utilizing Eithan's detection web:
<blockquote>"Even with the support of the sect, she’d had a difficult time reaching Lowgold. There weren’t any Remnants with her unique blend of aspects, not to mention any appropriate scales. But since she had, her detection web had become easier to use and far more efficient." ([[Reaper]])</blockquote>

==Fingerling==
Sometime after Lindon healed her at the end of book 3, Jai Chen bonded / contracted with a tiny ferocious pink dragon-spirit. It seems to have come from her own living madra. Fingerling can see up to a mile away and its madra dissolves enemies. This dragon-spirit first appears in book 4, [[Skysworn]], during Lindon's duel with Jai Long.

===Fingerling: Description===
<blockquote>‘He spun his spear around, looking for the creature that had gotten behind him, only to see his sister holding a dragon by its tail. A serpentine dragon roared, surging from the space between her hands. It was like one of his snakes, only far more detailed: he could see a pair of whiskers on its face and scales on its body. It was tinged pink, like the light of dawn, and it raged into the bloody creatures with a majestic cry. They were splattered across the floor with the sheer momentum of its charge.([[Skysworn]], ch 9)</blockquote>

===Fingerling’s Madra===
Fingerling came from Jai Chen’s spirit madra, which was probably altered by the Remnant that attacked her at age six, about ten years ago, mixed in perhaps with pure [[Madra|pure madra]] from Lindon and Little Blue, who first unknotted Jai Chen’s core and madra channels. It was also effected by the [[Ancestor’s Spear]] and the [[Archstone]] during the duel between Lindon and Jai Long, and the unexpected actions of Jai Daishou.
<blockquote>‘Awed, Jai Long extended his spiritual perception. The substance of this creature felt like nothing he'd ever seen before. It was something like his own madra, corrupted by that Remnant long ago, which explained life in a creature that wasn't a Remnant. But at the same time, it was also...refined, in a way he couldn't describe. Like Jai Long's power had been boiled down, purified, perfected, and then strengthened. And there were elements that reminded him of a storm. It was a confusing, overwhelming mass of impressions, and he couldn't make sense of them. . .’(Skysworn, ch 9)</blockquote>
<blockquote>‘Jai Chen directed Fingerling, who breathed his strange pink madra over a bloodspawn that looked like it had been made from scarlet scissors strapped together to walk like a man. Fingerling’s breath didn’t behave like fire, or even fire madra, but like a dense cloud that passed over the jagged spawn and dissolved it.’([[Bloodline]])</blockquote>

===Fingerling’s Name===
“You’ve cared for your bonded spirit well,” Eithan observed. “Have you named it?”
<br>
“We call him Fingerling,” Jai Chen said, looking a little sheepish. “He started off the size of a finger, and he loves eating small fish. It started as a nickname, but then it just.. .stuck.” The pink, serpentine dragon trilled proudly at the sound of his name. ([[Bloodline]])

==[[Twin Star Sect]]==
[[File:Recruiting Twin Star Sect.png|left|thumb|Twin Star Sect Recruitment ]]
Eventually, Archlord [[Ozmanthus Arelius|Eithan Arelius]] invites Jai Chen to help organize the new [[Twin Star Sect]], a group that follows the [[Icons#Void Icon|Void Sage]] —- [[Wei Shi Lindon]] —- who is on the [[Path of Twin Stars]]. He is also called the Twin Star Sage or the Sage of Twin Stars. Working with [[Wei Shi Kelsa]], Chen recruits new members and manages the sect. The sect sprang to life in the [[Desolate Wilds]] shantytown of Refuge and continued in Serpent’s Grave. ([[Bloodline]] and [[Reaper]])
<blockquote>‘'''His sister, Jai Chen, wore a set of sacred artists robes trimmed in blue and burnt orange: the colors of the Twin Star sect. She wore the emblem proudly over her heart, and she moved as though it gave her endless energy. She bounced into the room beaming, and even her companion spirit danced around in midair as though he’d inherited the mood. Fingerling was a serpentine, finger-sized pink dragon that was the manifestation of Jai Chen’s power.’''' ([[Reaper]])</blockquote>

{{Books}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Cradle Characters]]

Sandviper Gokren

2022-04-20T20:33:53Z

Nxcts: /* Spoilers — His Character Arc */

{{Cradle NavBox}}
==Sandviper Gokren==
Sandviper Gokren is the leader of the [[Sandviper Sect|Sandviper sect]] in the Desolate Wilds, in western [[Blackflame Empire]]. He is a [[Truegold (Advancement)|Truegold]] on the Path of the Sandviper. He is first described in book two, Soulsmith, and appears in several important scenes in book 3, Blackflame.

==Relationships==
Gokren is the leader of his sect / clan, the father of [[Sandviper Kral]], and the ally of [[Jai Long]]. Sandvipers have been feuding with the [[Fisher Sect]] for a long time — it’s an ancestral enmity. Gokren was kind to [[Jai Chen]]. He grew to hate [[Jai Daishou]], the smug old Patriarch of the prominent [[Jai Clan]], headquartered in Serpent’s Grave. He vowed to make [[Lindon]] pay for what he did to his son, Kral.

==Appearance==
Gokren is a wiry man with slicked-back grey hair. He wears furs and a scarf made out of snake-skin. He is medium height, and carries 2 spears as weapons.<br />

==Personality==
Gokren cares deeply for his sect and his family. He pursues honor and has great determination as he follows his path. He is cautious, and plans well. He is an excellent leader of the Sandvipers, and has earned their loyalty and love. He doesn't do foolish things, or let his emotions overcome him; however, after the death of his son Kral, he dedicates his life to helping Jai Long because of how close Kral and Jai were. He holds to his commitment to Jai Long despite the challenges it poses, risking his own life, the life of his sect members, and everything else to help him. He turns down the chance to steal the ancestor's spear from Jai Long and take it for his sect, and when Jai Long is forced to serve the Jai Clan, Sandviper Gokren stays with him as an ally until his own death.<br />

==Iron body & Path==
Gokren is an extrememly powerful Truegold with a Sandviper Iron body, basically the same as Lindon’s [[Bloodforged Iron body]], although Lindon took his venom up straight, no chasers.
*See also [[Iron body]] and [[Advancement Level#Iron Level|Advancing to Iron]].

<br>
[[Paths|His Path]]: Path of the Sandviper. Members of the Sandviper sect follow the Path of the Sandviper. It uses aspects of venom madra. The Goldsign is a green sandviper on the arm. Gokren reached Truegold at a relatively young age, and though he eventually reached the peak of Truegold, he never uncovered the secrets of [[Underlord (Advancement)|Underlord]]. He sought his reason for practicing the sacred arts, but failed. Without access to an Underlord to coach him through advancement, he died a Truegold. <br />
===Techniques===
Gokren developed the techniques that his sect practices, which focus on forger and ruler techniques. He has few enforcer options, as the madra he cultivates is venemous, but the sandviper (bloodforged) iron body allows him to heal from any hits he takes or resist his own toxins. He fights ferociously, leveraging his superior power over his opponents and staying on the offensive, zoning his opponents with clouds of toxic gas and striking at them with his two spears.

==Spoilers — His Character Arc==
While Sandviper Gokren is mentioned and referenced in ''[[Soulsmith]]'', he first enters the story in ''[[Blackflame]]''. He had just returned from a very successful hunt in the [[Desolate Wilds]] to find that his son Kral had been killed by Lindon. Gokren references this event as what ended his life, and he turns to helping [[Jai Long]] wage war upon the [[Jai Clan]]. He and his [[Sandviper Sect|Sandvipers]] attacked the Jai branch branch in the Desolate Wilds, with Sandviper Gokren fighting the Truegold representative and defeating him.

Gokren then travelled to Serpent's Grave, where he, Jai Long, and the Sandvipers waged a private war upon the Jai clan. Their plan was to use the Ancestor's Spear to drain Stellar Spear madra from members of the Jai Clan. Once Jai Long had reached the peak of Truegold, they would leave Serpent's grave to allow Jai Long time to advance to Underlord, while [[Jai Daishou]] succumbed to sickness and died. They struck at Jai clansmen whenever the Jai clan was making moves against the Arelius family, with Gokren and his Sandvipers mostly playing a supporting role to Jai Long.

As Gokren's war upon the Jai Clan progressed, eventually Jai Daishou took matters into his own hands and subdued Jai Long. Gokren, seeking to protect his ally, rushed the veiled Underlord. He was also immediately subdued, breaking his leg. In order to save Gokren's life, Jai Long formed a pact with Gokren which involved their servitude to the Jai Clan. They were then assigned to assassinate Lindon and [[Yerin Arelius|Yerin]] before Jai Long's upcoming duel. During the fight, [[Orthos]] came to Lindon's aid and fought Gokren until he was defeated. Trying to save Orthos, Lindon fired a blast of blackflame at Gokren. Gokren expected to easily deflect or defend himself from the Jade level technique, but it burned through his spear and hand. Gokren then tried to kill Orthos before Orthos could release the ruler technique he had been building, but a spurt of blackflame from Lindon made him flinch long enough for Orthos to release the technique, killing Gokren immediately. Having been totally destroyed by the Void Dragon's Dance, he left no remnant. His sect likely disappeared after his death, returning to scavenging sacred artists in the Desolate Wilds.

{{Books}}

[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Cradle Characters]]

Naru Huan

2022-04-20T20:31:31Z

Nxcts: /* Royal Relatives */

{{Cradle NavBox}}{{Cradle Character|Name=Naru Huan|Path=[[Path of Grasping Sky]]|Rank=Overlord, Emperor|Faction= Royal [[Naru Clan]],[[Blackflame Empire]]|First Appearance=[[Blackflame]]|Home=Imperial Court, Blackflame City|Siblings=[[Naru Saeya]]|Dad=|Mom=Dowager Empress}}
Emperor Naru Huan first appears in book 3, [[Blackflame]], chapter 22. The [[Naru Clan]] rules over the [[Blackflame Empire]] on the Northwestern edge of the Ashwind Continent. He is the only Overlord and the highest ranking sacred artist in the realm, at least until [[Yerin Arelius]] and [[Wei Shi Lindon]] advance.

==Vassal to Akura==
Important as he is, the Emperor is nonetheless a vassal to the exceedingly powerful Monarch [[Akura Malice]]. This relationship lays the foundation for various plotlines and several books, beginning with [[Underlord]]

==Royal Relatives==
Naru Huan’s mother was the first to rule this empire after the preceding tyrants, the imperial Blackflame Family, dwindled into madness. She is The Dowager Empress, in seclusion. (See more of the empire’s history at [[Ashwind Continent History]])

His wife is....(the Emperor is married. I believe kids are mentioned somewhere)

His younger sister is Underlady [[Naru Saeya]]

His uncle is Underlord Naru Gwei, Captain of the [[Skysworn (Organization)|Skysworn]]

Another close relative is [[Naru Jing]], a rising star of her younger generation. Her father is highly placed. She is married to [[Cassias Arelius|Naru Cassias Arelius]].

==Personality==
Good-humored. Fair-minded. He can still remember when he and his entire clan were servants to the imperial Blackflame Family. “He still remembered a time when it had been his job to scrub these floors.” (Blackflame, ch 22)

Energetic. Likes a good battle. Not fond of too much ceremony. He is friends with [[Eithan Arelius]]. When refugees need help after the dreadgods trample the countryside, he personally brings food and provisions (Reaper).

==Appearance==
The Emperor is a vigorous man with a bearing and carriage that inspires confidence. He looks only about 30 because of his Overlord body, but he’s really fifteen years older than [[Eithan Arelius]], or so he thinks. His emerald wings (Goldsign) is magnificent. His wingspan is 15 feet. (Blackflame, ch 22)
{{Quote Box|title=The Emperor|quote=''Naru Huan turned, spreading his vast, shimmering emerald wings for effect. <br>He cut a heroic figure, with a jaw like a brick and eyes like knives. His royal <br>robes didn't hide his muscular figure, and the outfit was impressive in its<br>own right. His robes had a green dragon and a blue one twining around<br>each other, the cool colors complementing his wings, and his hair was<br>pinned up with a jade pin.''|source=-Skysworn|align=left}}

==Powers, Abilities==
He is highly skilled on his Path. He is the only Overlord in the realm and the highest ranking sacred artist. For a while....

==Path==
The [[Path of Grasping Sky]] is the Imperial Path. It is illegal for anyone except the Naru clan to practice it. It uses aspects of wind madra, allowing flight with goldsign wings. After years of practice on the Path, Copper sight is tuned to the wind, improving battle senses and perception. Furthermore, this Path enables skillful artists to hold an opponent in place with wind. Also with wind, they can choke a windpipe. Key notable sacred artists on this Path include the Emperor Overlord, Naru Huan, the Skysworn Captain, Naru Gwei, [[Naru Saeya]], and the rising star of the younger generation, [[Naru Jing]]

==Emperor's Blackflame Sword==
<blockquote>'''Lindon... couldn't help pausing when he saw the sword. It had a long, straight blade of dense black, with red layers streaked through it in a pattern that reminded him of rising flames. It was Blackflame. The Emperor had a sword made from the Path of Black Flame, and from the pressure it gave off, it was at least an Overlord-level weapon.'''<br>
--[[Underlord]], chapter 26</blockquote>

==Archlord Defense Package==
Sage [[Akura Charity]] awarded the delighted Emperor with an Archlord-level defense package at the end of book 6, [[Underlord]]. This award was granted based on the exploits carried out in the Nightwheel Valley contest.

<br />{{Books}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Cradle Characters]]

Naru Clan

2022-04-20T20:31:10Z

Nxcts: /* Naru Clan Members */

{{Cradle NavBox}}
Royal House Naru is the imperial ruling clan in the [[Blackflame Empire]]. This empire is located on the Northwestern edge of the Ashwind Continent. The Naru clan is central to the series, beginning with book 4, [[Skysworn]]. The Dowager Empress recently retired into seclusion. Today, Emperor [[Naru Huan]] presides.

==From Servant to Master==
Fifty years ago, the Royal House of Naru emerged when the previous ruling clan, the Imperial Blackflame Family died out, mostly from insanity. House Naru had been servants to the Blackflame Family for generations. (See more history at [[Ashwind Continent History]]

==Royal Digs==
The newly-created Naru Empress moved the imperial capital from Serpent’s Grave to Blackflame City. The Royal Naru family live in the capital, Blackflame City, at the Imperial Court.

==Vassal to Akura==
Important as they are, Royal House Naru and the entire empire is nonetheless a vassal to the exceedingly powerful Monarch [[Akura Malice]].

==Naru Clan Members==
The Dowager Empress is [[Naru Huan]]’s mother. She is retired, living in seclusion.

[[Naru Huan]] is Emperor. He is married. He is the only Overlord and the highest ranking sacred artist in the realm —— at least until [[Yerin Arelius]] and [[Wei Shi Lindon]] advance.

His younger sister is Underlady [[Naru Saeya]]

His uncle is Underlord Naru Gwei, Captain of the [[Skysworn (Organization)|Skysworn]]

Another close relative is [[Naru Jing]], a rising star of her younger generation. She is married to [[Cassias Arelius|Naru Cassias Arelius]].

There are many more members of the Naru clan, all notable for their goldsign — emerald green wings.

==Imperial Clan Path==
The Path of Grasping Sky is the Imperial Path. It is illegal for anyone except the Naru clan to practice it. It uses aspects of wind madra. The goldsign is emerald green wings. After years of practice on the Path, Copper sight is tuned to the wind, improving battle senses and perception. Furthermore, this Path enables skillful artists to hold an opponent in place with wind. Key notable sacred artists on this Path include the Emperor Overlord, Naru Huan, the Skysworn Captain, Naru Gwei, [[Naru Saeya]], and the rising star of the younger generation, [[Naru Jing]]

{{Books}}

[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Cradle Factions]]

Silverlord

2022-04-20T02:49:56Z

Nxcts: Created page with "{{Cradle NavBox}} The '''Silverlords''' are a subgroup of the Vroshir. The Silverlords operate by conquering worlds and gathering armies and weapons from them. Individual..."

Cradle Glossary

2022-04-19T23:50:39Z

Nxcts: /* The Way and The Worlds */

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Cradle Glossary}}
{{Cradle NavBox}}

==Gratitude==
This is meant to be a convenient glossary for the Cradle Series, especially for characters by location. It is meant to be a list. Add hyperlinks when a matching page is found or created. Let’s not create empty hyperlinks, leading only to blank Stub pages. Gratitude.

==The Way and The Worlds==
Ascend. Beyond the planet Cradle. . .
<br>Enter [[The Way and The Worlds]]
*See details on all [[The Way and The Worlds|Iterations and the Way]]

===[[Abidan|Abidan Court of Seven Judges]]===
The [[Abidan]] uphold the [[Eledari Pact]] across the Worlds
<br>Each Judge is a Pillar of Reality

*[[Makiel|Makiel, the Hound - 001]]
*[[Gadrael|Gadrael, the Titan - 002]]
*[[Darandiel|Darandiel, the Ghost - 003]]
*[[Telariel|Telariel, the Spider - 004]]
*[[Razael|Razael, the Wolf - 005]]
*[[Suriel|Suriel, the Phoenix - 006]]
*[[Zakariel|Zakariel, the Fox - 007]]
Additionally<br>
*[[Ozriel|Ozriel, the Reaper - 008]]
*[[Adriel|Adriel, the Creator]]
====Lesser Abidan====
*[[Pariana of the Titans]]
*[[Kiuran of the Hounds]]

===[[Vroshir]]===
Supervillains, über-powerful
<br>Enemies of the [[Abidan]] and the [[Eledari Pact]]
<br><b>See [[Vroshir]] for goals, characters </b>

==Cradle - Key Concepts==
Regarding the magic system of Iteration 110, Cradle:
*[[Sacred Arts]]
*[[Madra]], with list of Aspects
**[[Hunger Madra]]
*[[Bloodline Abilities]] - Arelius Senses, Akura Armor, Royal Sha Madra, Northstrider Affinity
*[[Advancement Level]] — Foundation to Monarch Details
*[[Soulsmithing]] & Scripting
*[[Magical Items]] — List of magical seeds, weapons, treasures, pills, elixirs, etc.
*[[Paths|List of all Paths]]
*[[Iron body|List of Iron Bodies by Character]]
*[[Techniques|List of all Techniques]]
*[[Remnant]]
*[[Dreadbeasts]]

==Cradle’s Monarchs==
Cradle, Iteration 110, one planet among thousands in [[The Way and The Worlds|The Way]]
<br>Seven [[Monarch factions]] at the start of the series:
#[[Akura Malice]] - Western Ashwind continent
#[[Seshethkunaaz]] - Eastern Ashwind continent
#[[Northstrider]] - Trackless Sea
#[[Emriss Silentborn]] - Everwood continent
#[[Sha Miara]] - Ninecloud continent
#[[Reigan Shen]] - Rosegold continent <br>([[Tiberian Arelius]] † Monarch of Rosegold died before book 1)
#The [[Eight-Man Empire]] - wandering conquerors, based on Iceflower continent, a pseudo-Monarch

==Heralds & Sages==
*List of [[Icons|Sages & Icons]]
*List of [[Herald (Advancement)|Heralds]]

==Cradle Continents /Characters==
One large planet among thousands, iteration 110
<br>Five known continents on Cradle
===Ninecloud Continent===
<u>The Royal Sha Family at Ninecloud Court</u>

*[[Sha Leiala]] (former Luminous Queen, Path of Celestial Radiance, Monarch Rank, deceased)
*[[Sha Miara]] (Luminous Queen, Path of Celestial Radiance, Monarch Rank)
*Sha Relliar (Herald Rank)
*Sha Dellian (Underlord Rank)
*Sha Siris (Underlord Rank)
===Everwood Continent===
<u>Titan’s Grove</u>

*[[Emriss Silentborn]] (Queen of the Everwood Continent, Monarch Rank)
*Chryleia, her Herald
*[[Dreadgod]] -- [[Silent King]]

===Rosegold Continent===
<u>House Shen</u>
*[[Reigan Shen]] (Emperor of the Rosegold Continent, Path of the King’s Key, Monarch Rank)
*Yushi Shen, aka Thunder Fairy - (Herald Rank, Lightning Path, female)
<u>[[House Arelius]]</u>
*[[Ozmanthus Arelius]] historic character
*[[Tiberian Arelius]] ''(Path of the Raging Sky, Monarch Rank, killed by Reigan Shen)''
*[[Sage of a Thousand Eyes]] — Cladia Arelius, aka Oracle Sage (Sage Rank)
*[[House Arelius#Veris & Altavian|Veris Arelius]] (Underlord Rank)
*[[House Arelius#Veris & Altavian|Altavian Arelius]] (Underlord Rank)
*[[Eithan Arelius]] — (Underlord, also lives in [[Blackflame Empire]] on Ashwind continent

===Iceflower Continent===
*Birthplace of [[Ziel]], injured Archlord
**His Dawnwing Sect
*Base of the [[Eight-Man Empire]] pseudo-Monarch

===Ashwind Continent===
Two Major Factions:
*Dragon Monarchy — Eastern Ashwind continent
*Akura Monarchy — Western Ashwind continent
*Overview at [[Ashwind Continent History]]
===Dragon Realm, Eastern Ashwind===
*[[Seshethkunaaz]] ''(Path of the Wasteland, Monarch Rank)''
*[[Xorrus]] (Left Hand of the Dragon Monarch, Path of the Burning Wasteland*, Herald Rank)
*[[Sopharanatoth]] ''(Path of the Flowing Flame, Overlady Rank)
*[[Ekerinatoth]] (Path of the Flowing Flame, Truegold Rank)
*Nagatonatoth (Path of the Flowing Flame, Truegold Rank)
*Derianatoth (Path of the Flowing Flame, Highgold Rank)
*Garrylondryth / The Rootfather (Herald Rank) — green dragon, heals nature
<br>
*[[Tidewalker Sect]] — human, but sided with dragons in [[Uncrowned King Tournament]]
*[[Naian Blackflame]] - human prisoner of dragons at the [[18th Uncrowned King Tournament]]
====Buffer Zone - The Wasteland====
Buffer between Dragon Realm and Akura Lands
*[[The Beast King]] (Herald Rank)
*[[Ziel]] (Path of the Dawn Oath, injured Archlord)

===Akura Realm, Western Ashwind===
<u>[[Akura Family|Ruling Akura Clan]]</u>
*[[Akura Malice]] (Matriarch of the Akura Clan, Path of Eternal Night, Monarch Rank)
*[[Akura Fury]] (Path of Seven Pages, Monarch Rank)
*[[Akura Charity]]/Sage of Silver Heart (Path of Seven Pages, Book of Silver Heart, Sage Rank)
*[[Akura Justice]] (First Gatekeeper of the Akura Clan. Path of the Chainkeeper, Archlord Rank)
*[[Akura Mercy]] (Path of Seven Pages, Book of Eternal Night, Underlord Rank)
*[[Akura Pride]] (Path of Seven Pages, Underlord Rank)
*[[Akura Grace]] (Underlord Rank)''
*''Akura Courage (Underlord Rank)''
*Akura Shiria (Underlord Rank) in Bloodline
*''Akura Douji (Underlord Rank)''
*[[Akura Harmony]] (Path of the Shadow Blade, Truegold)
*Old Man Lo (Overlord Rank)

====Akura Vassals====
*[[Seishen Kingdom]]
**Seishen Dakata (King of the Seishen Kingdom, Path of the Steel Guardian, Overlord Rank)
**Seishen Kiro (Prince of the Seishen Kingdom, Path of the Steel Guardian, Underlord Rank)
**Seishen Daji (Prince of the Seishen Kingdom, Path of the Steel Guardian, Underlord Rank)
**Riyusai Meira (Underlady Rank), the gardener

*[[Frozen Blade School]]-
**Twins, Maten Teia and Maten Kei - Underlord and Lady
**[[Min Shuei]], Sage of the Frozen Blade
*Sky’s Edge Mining community
*[[Temple of Rising Earth]]
*[[Blackflame Empire]] — full listing below

=====[[Blackflame Empire]]=====
Vassal to Akura
<br>

<u>Naru, Imperial Clan</u>

*[[Naru Clan]]
*Dowager Empress — Huan’s mother, retired in seclusion
*[[Naru Huan]] - (Emperor of the [[Blackflame Empire]], Path of Grasping Sky, Overlord Rank)
*[[Naru Saeya]] - (emperor’s sister, Path of the Grasping Sky, Underlord Rank)
*[[Naru Gwei]] - (emperor’s uncle, captain of Skysworn, Path of the Grasping Sky, Underlord Rank)
*Naru Jing Arelius (Wife of [[Cassias Arelius]], Path of Grasping Sky, Truegold Rank)

<u>Skysworn Imperial Forces</u>

*[[Naru Gwei]] (Captain of the Skysworn, Path of Grasping Sky, Underlord Rank, emperor’s uncle)
*[[Renfei]] (Path of the Cloud Hammer, Truegold Rank)
*[[Bai Rou]] (Path of the Amber Well, Truegold Rank)
*Pai Ren (Truegold Rank, killed by [[Longhook]])

<u>Kotai Clan</u>
*Kotai Shou (Patriarch of the Kotai Clan, Path of the Unstained Shield, Underlord Rank)
*Kotai Reina (Path of the Unstained Shield, Underlord Rank)
*Kotai Taien (Path of the Unstained Shield, Lowgold Rank)

<u>Arelius Family - Blackflame Branch</u>
*see [[House Arelius]]
*[[Orthos]], liasion for House Arelius, a ([[Sacred Beasts|sacred beast]])
*[[Eithan Arelius]] (Path of the Hollow King, Underlord Rank, plus)
**Adoptee [[Yerin Arelius]] (Disciple of the Sword Sage, Path of the Endless Sword)
***Ruby, Yerin’s [[The Bleeding Phoenix#Ruby, Yerin's Shadow |Blood Shadow]]
**Adoptee [[Wei Shi Lindon Arelius]]
***Sylvan Riverseed (Pure Nature Spirit) [[Little Blue]]
***[[Dross]] — A presence. AI.

*Gaien Arelius (Branch Patriarch, Truegold Rank)
*[[Cassias Arelius]] (Path of Silver Grace*, Truegold Rank)
**Wife Naru Jing
*Lezaar (Refiner)

<u>Cloud Hammer School</u>

*Chon Ma (Head of the Cloud Hammer School, Path of the Cloud Hammer, Underlord Rank)

<u>Jade Eyes School</u>

*Li Min Redflower (Head of the Jade Eyes School, Path of the Jade Eyes, Underlord, top healer)

<u>[[Jai Clan]] in Serpent’s Grave</u>
*[[Jai Daishou]] (Patriarch, Path of the Stellar Spear, Underlord Rank)
*[[Jai Long]] (Liaison to the Sandvipers, Path of the Stellar Spear, Truegold Rank)
*[[Jai Chen]] — younger sister of Jai Long
*Jai Yu (Path of the Stellar Spear, Highgold Rank, killed by Cassias)
*Jai Hara - exiled, went to Refuge (Bloodline ch 20)

=====Western BF Empire, [[Desolate Wilds]]=====
Five Factions Alliance at the Transcendent Ruins includes reps from the Jai clan, the Sandvipers, the Fishers, Purelake Temple, and Cloud Hammer school. As for Purelake Temple and Cloud Hammer, no names are given. (Soulsmith, ch 6)
<br>
<u>[[Jai Clan]] representatives</u>
*[[Jai Long]] (Liaison to the Sandvipers, Path of the Stellar Spear, Truegold Rank)
*Jai Sen (Path of the Stellar Spear, Lowgold Rank)
*[[Jai Chen]] — younger sister of Jai Long
<u>[[Sandviper Sect]]</u>
*[[Sandviper Gokren]] ''(Chief of the Sandvipers, Path of the Sandviper, Truegold Rank)
*[[Sandviper Kral]] (Son of Gokren, Path of the Sandviper, Highgold Rank)
*Resh (Path of the Sandviper, Lowgold Rank)
*Tern (Path of the Sandviper, Lowgold Rank)
*Tash (Path of the Sandviper, Lowfold Rank)
*Grenn (Messenger for Jai Long, Path of the Sandviper)
*Bren (Path of the Sandviper, Iron Rank)
<br>
<u>[[Fisher Sect]]</u><br>
*Ragahn (First Fisher, Path of the Fisherman, Truegold Rank)
*Lokk (Disciple of Ragahn, Path of the Fisherman, Highgold Rank)
*[[Fisher Gesha]] - (Soulsmith, Lindon’s tutor, Path of the Fisherman, Highgold Rank)

===[[Sacred Valley]]===
[[Sacred Valley]] is in Akura Lands
* Forbidden Area, set apart, out of bounds
<u>[[Wei Clan]]</u>

*[[Elder Whisper]] (ancient white snowfox, one of the [[Sacred Beasts]])
*Wei Jin Sairus (Wei Clan Patriarch, Path of the White Fox, Ruler, Jade Rank)
*Wei Jin Amon (Grandson of Sairus, Path of the White Fox, Striker, Iron Rank)
*Wei Mon Keth (Head of the Mon Family, Path of the White Fox, Striker, Iron Rank)
*Wei Mon Teris (Son of Keth, Path of the White Fox, Enforcer, Copper Rank)
*Wei Mon Eri (Daughter of Keth, Path of the White Fox, Striker, Foundation Rank)
*[[Wei Shi Jaran]] (Head of the l Shi Family, Path of the White Fox, Forger, Iron Rank)
*[[Wei Shi Seisha]] (Wife of Jaran, Path of the White Fox, [[Soulsmithing|clan soulsmith]], Iron Rank)
*[[Wei Shi Kelsa]] (Daughter of Jaran, Path of the White Fox, Ruler, Iron Rank)
*[[Wei Shi Lindon]] (Son of Jaran,Path of the Twin Hearts, etc etc)

<u>[[Li Clan]]</u>

*[[Li Markuth]] (Grand Patriarch ancestor o f the Li Clan)
*Li Shao (Forger, Iron Rank)

<u>[[Kazan Clan]]</u>
*Kazan Patriarch and wife (not named)
**Their little boy, Maret
*Kazan Ma Deret †
<br>
[[Fallen Leaf School]] (no names given?)<br>

<br>
<u>[[Heaven’s Glory School]]</u>

*Whitehall (Elder, Path of Heaven’s Glory, Jade Rank, killed by Lindon)
*Rahm (Elder, Path of Heaven’s Glory, Forger, Jade Rank)
*Anses (Elder, Path of Heaven’s Glory, Jade Rank)
*''Harbek (Elder, Path of Heaven’s Glory, Jade Rank, killed by the Sword Sage)''
*''Nasiri (Elder, Path of Heaven’s Glory, Jade Rank, killed by the Sword Sage)''
*''Serenity (Elder, Path of Heaven’s Glory, Jade Rank, killed by the Sword Sage)''
*''Kazan Ma Deret (Disciple, Path of the Mountain’s Heart, Forger, Iron Rank, killed by Lindon)''

==Global Characters==
<u>Unaffiliated </u>
*''Timaias Adama/[[Sage of the Endless Sword]] (Path of the Endless Sword, Sage Rank, killed by the Heaven’s Glory School)'' — He was engaged to [[Min Shuei]] of the Frozen blade School. [[Yerin]] was his disciple for almost ten years.

*[[Northstrider]] (Path of the Hungry Deep, Trackless Sea, Monarch Rank)
*[[Tidewalker Sect]] — water artists, sided with the Dragons in [[18th Uncrowned King Tournament]]

===Dreadgods===
*Four terrible monsters
*Plus [[Subject One]]
*see [[Dreadgod]] page

===[[Dreadgod cult]]s===
[[Redmoon Hall]] - [[The Bleeding Phoenix]] Dreadgod

*[[Sage of Red Faith]] (Sage Rank)
*''Longhook (Path of Rolling Earth, Underlord Rank)''
*Blacksword (Underlord Rank)
*Gergen (Underlord Rank)
*Yan Shoumei (Underlord Rank)

<u>[[Stormcallers]]</u> - [[Weeping Dragon]]

*Sage of Calling Storms (Sage Rank)
*Therian Nills (Path of the Stormcaller, Underlord Rank)
*''Calan Archer (Path of the Stormcaller, Underlord Rank)''

<u>[[Silent Servants]]</u> - [[Silent King]]

*Kenvata Nasuma Juvari (Underlord Rank)

<u>[[Abyssal Palace]]</u> - [[Wandering Titan]]

*Maraan (High Priest, Underlord Rank)
*''Brother Aekin (Underlord Rank)''
*Era (Priestess, Truegold Rank)

==Historical Characters==
*[[Ozmanthus Arelius]]
*[[Naian Blackflame]] — former Blackflame empire
**see also [[Ashwind Continent History]]

==Referenced-Only Characters==
*The Script Lord (Path of the Whispering Wind, Archlord Rank)
*Meiyen Teia (Path of Glacier’s Birth, Underlord Rank)
*Sage of Fallen Blades (Sage Rank)
*Forest Sage (Sage Rank)

<br><br>

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Cradle Characters]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cradle_Glossary}}

Makiel

2022-04-19T23:47:33Z

Nxcts: /* Personality */

{{Cradle NavBox}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Makiel
| series = Cradle
| image =
| first =
| gender = Male
| affiliation = Abidan
| home = Outpost 01: Oversight
| position = Abidan Judge 001: The Hound
}}

==Tags==
*rank: Abidan Judge
*designation = zero-zero-one / #001
*office = The Hound
*symbol = three-headed dog
*division = Fate
*hq = Outpost01 : Oversight
*weapon = The Sword of the First Judge (two-handed)
*presence = Purple Eye

==Related Links==
*[[Abidan]]
*[[Vroshir]]

==Hound Division==
Makiel and the Hound Division of the [[Abidan]] supervise Fate. They tap into the Way to read the past and the future, and to deal with any deviations that may jeopardize one or more worlds.There are Thousands of Hounds.

The story of each universe is written in Fate. Fate governs the natural lifespan of each Iteration. It isn't a detailed plan that determines every action of each person, but rather a force like gravity that pushes a world toward a healthy life ending in that Iteration's natural death.

Since humans tie the universe to the Way, people figure prominently in Fate. One individual life is unlikely to affect the destiny of an entire Iteration, but their actions might be a necessary step toward a world's continued existence. Or its end.

==Descriptions==
Makiel the Hound of Fate, The First Judge himself, had an unremarkable appearance. He looked like a natural human, as though his genetics had remained the same since birth. [[Suriel]], and every other [[Abidan]] she knew, had altered themselves in some way to improve their performance. Rumor said that Makiel never had, and that he worked solely on natural talent, but of course he would never allow a scan to confirm those rumors.

He had dark brown skin, slightly wrinkled like a man in his fifties, and silver at the wings of his black, short hair. He was trim and solidly built, with a square jaw; He looked like a soldier. Only his eyes stood out, blazing a bright violet.

==Personality==
Makiel is something of a leader among the seven Judges, though the [[Eledari Pact]] technically gives him no authority over his peers. This is a tradition continued from the original Makiel, who first realized the need for such a pact and organized its creation.

He is rigid and inflexible, utterly dedicated to the enforcement of the rules that protect existence. This mindset has led him to clash with [[Ozriel]], who tends to value his own will over externally imposed guidelines. He has tried many times to recover the Scythe and Mantle of [[Ozriel]] in order to pass the title to a different, more worthy bearer, but the Reaper has eluded or defeated him at every turn.

<blockquote> “What are my odds of getting two other Judges to work with me against the Vroshir directly?” [Not high.] Suriel preferred her Presence to answer numerically where possible, even when regarding scenarios that were technically incalculable. When it didn’t, that meant the scenario was truly uncertain. [It is a shame that those who rise to become Judges tend to be unusually individualistic,] her Presence continued. [Forceful. Difficult to persuade, even with objective facts.] (Reaper ch 2)</blockquote>

==Ability==
In combat power alone, he was once considered capable of assuming the role of [[Razael]], though he declined the mantle. His prediction skills rival that of [[Ozriel|Ozriel’s]]. He is capable of tracking over a thousand threads of Fate at once, over hundreds of different worlds.

No wonder Makiel’s Hounds worshiped him so. He was worth a division all on his own.

==Weapon==
Massive two-handed sword, passed down from the first Makiel. <blockquote> Makiel met the blow with the Sword of the First Judge, the weapon that had been the symbol of order since the ancient Abidan had risen from Cradle so long ago. (Bloodline ch 18)</blockquote>

==Headquarters==
The main HQ for the entire [[Abidan]] Court is on the world of Sanctum, but Makiel moved his own Hounds of Fate operational center far away, to Outpost 01, also called [[Oversight]].

*Outpost 01
:Also known as Oversight. [[Makiel]] himself had created this system, hand-selecting the fragments from the void and binding them together with the force of his will. He had positioned it here, manipulating the Way to enforce natural laws.
:This system is in the center of '''''The Way''''' just as the heart is the center in a network of veins. One blue-and-green planet of standard size orbited by no less than sixteen moons. Each of the moons was so close that it almost looked like they skated along the planet's surface, city lights blanketing every surface over all the seventeen spheres.
:The inhabitants of Outpost lived as naturally as they would in an Iteration, but with an endless blue sky devoid of sun or stars. Twelve billion people lived here, and the vast majority of them were not [[Abidan]]. They were simply people. They went about their lives, living and dying with no knowledge of the greater cosmos.
:This was the headquarters of [[Makiel|Makiel’s First Division: the Hounds]].

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Abidan]]
[[Category:Cradle Characters]]

Advancement Level

2022-04-19T23:46:02Z

Nxcts: /* Beyond Archlord */

{{Cradle NavBox}}

'''The sacred arts''' are Cradle’s “magic” system. This page provides a detailed and extensive description of the advancement levels or ranks within this system.

==General Notes==
===Editing tips===
*In the books, ranks or levels are capitalized. He is just a Copper. Icon is capitalized, too.
*However, the words madra, aura, sacred artist, sacred arts, revelation, and soulfire are not capitalized.
*In the books, it’s written Lowgold, not Low Gold. Highgold, Truegold. And soulfire.
*Let’s be succinct and stick mainly to known facts cuz the page is long. Gratitude.

===Advancement & Gravity===
Advancement is a survival skill on Cradle. Humans need vital aura and madra — at birth, it’s pure madra — because in this mythos, the planet is just incredibly large, increasing the gravity, the G-forces on the human body. Madra helps strengthen the body enough to withstand these forces. Author Will Wight isn’t too concerned about the “physics of fantasy” but he explains it on his Archives: [[https://abidanarchive.com/events/7/#e734 Abidan Archives734]]

===Advancement: Humans vs Beasts===
Humans, some beasts, and even the occasional tree might engage in the [[Sacred Arts|sacred arts]], albeit differently. Following their chosen Path, sacred artists develop their spiritual power or '''madra''' by cycling [[Vital Aura|vital aura]]. The sacred arts are structured in such a way as to naturally lead to advancement. However, humans advance differently than sacred beasts or sacred trees.
*See more details at [[Sacred Beasts]] or [[Sacred Arts]]

==Levels: At a Glance==

Highlights of each advancement level, in brief. Details are copious in the sections further below.
<br>
*Foundation: At the Foundation level, young sacred artists can cycle pure madra to very slightly strengthen their body or activate scripts.
*Copper: The sacred artist develops Copper Sight, an awareness of vital aura in the surrounding environment, and begins to cycle aspected madra.
*Iron: At the Iron level, sacred artists gain an Iron body that increases physical endurance, or flexibility, or speed, etc.
*Jade: The sacred artist develops Jade senses, which is spiritual awareness. This is also the last stage to prepare ahead for the Gold Realm and beyond by developing an excellent cycling technique and beginning to really push the madra channels throughout the entire body.
*Gold: Power up! Typically, at Lowgold, a sacred artist will adopt a Remnant and gain a Goldsign. Or else, contract with a [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beast]]. Lindon advanced from Jade to Lowgold using an infusion of Blackflame madra from Orthos, his contracted soulmate. He lacks a true Goldsign but when channeling his Blackflame core, his eyes turn red. The red eyes are not a Goldsign. They are the hallmark of a contracted / bonded partner.
*Underlord: Revelation: Why did I first decide to engage in the sacred arts? Create a soulspace. Reborn in soulfire, body and spirit, with an even more advanced perfect Iron body. Aging process slows down. Ability to create soulfire and activate Lord-level weapons, to limited extent. Increased spiritual and physical power.
*Overlord: Revelation: Who am I today, as a sacred artist? Reborn in soulfire again. Your soulfire gains a greater depth and potency. Can access more advanced weapons. Increased spiritual and physical power.
*Archlord: Revelation: Where am I going, as a sacred artist? Washed in soulfire a third time, strengthening the body and the spirit even more. Can employ Archlord-level weapons. Increased spiritual and physical power. Aging slows significantly. Ascend- maybe. “Herald, Sage, even some Archlords make it out by their own power.” (Bloodline ch 1)
*Sage : Authority. Will. Grow in spiritual power. Manifest an Icon. Spatial shenanigans. Touch the Way. Aging stops. Ascend.
**Ordering of Sage/Herald order could go either way.
*Herald : Merge body and spirit. Achieve superior strength. Leap tall buildings in a single step. Aging stops. Ascend.
*Monarch: Can fart out big fat blobs of hunger aura. Ascend.
*Ascension: Sages, Heralds, and Monarchs — even some Archlords — are advanced enough to ascend from this Iteration into [[The Way and The Worlds]]. Simply step through a portal, guided by [[Abidan]] attendants. But beware of the [[Vroshir]].

==Advancement Intro==
A sacred artist may progress through realms of advancement, with clearly defined ranks in each realm. Advancement comes when physical and spiritual development and understanding is ready, and not before, unless it’s forced with expensive elixirs. The known realms are the Foundation Realm, the Gold Realm, and the Lord Realm. Additionally, beyond that, there are Sages and Heralds and Monarchs.
<br/><br/>
Every child begins at the Foundation level with pure madra. Then, at Copper, the child may gradually begin to cycle a specific madra aspect, or in rare cases, keep a pure core. (See [[Madra]]) Only the rarest and most committed sacred artist might possibly advance to the Lord Realm, or even beyond, to Sage or Herald, typically after they reach Archlord —- but not always. The highest advancement level on Cradle is Monarch. (Unless the monstrous and nearly immortal [[Dreadgod]] is counted as a level.)

==The Foundation Realm==
In childhood, typically. The main effort and role of the Foundation Realm is to set and create the very foundation that a Sacred Artist will use for the rest of their life. A weak foundation will limit their future advancement, while a strong one can carry them far beyond Gold.

===Foundation Level===
All citizens of Cradle are born at the foundation stage. Outside of children, the only people that remain at this primary stage are the spiritually crippled. This level grants the individual the ability to sense their own core and madra. Compared to all other sacred artists they are spiritually weak and have the bodies of normal humans. They are capable of activating weak scripts and can employ simple techniques, though doing so quickly exhausts them. Foundation stage artists can cycle but are not yet able to cycle the vital aura of the world.

===Copper Level===
Most sacred artists naturally advance to Copper as children. To do so, the first step is to build up a certain amount of pure madra. This can be done over time through simple or advanced cycling techniques. Alternatively, spirit fruit, elixirs, and constructs such as parasite rings can be used to artificially increase the amount of madra one has. Once a critical mass is reached, one encapsulates their loose core in a barrier/sphere of their own madra. The individual then uses their madra to squeeze their core until it can be compressed no further. This process is uncomfortable at the start and slightly painful in the last moments as one feels a great pressure bearing down on their very spirit. The individual may lose consciousness for a time at the end of this process while their soul advances. This process changes an individual's core from a loose collection of madra, to a small but bright star of madra within themselves. Condensing one's core gives one several benefits.

::'''Strengths and benefits of Copper:'''

::*The primary ability gained is what sacred artists call Copper Sight. This sight allows one to see the vital aura in the world around them. The seven most commonly cycled kinds of vital aura in the world are fire, earth, wind, water, force, blood, and life. They are not necessarily the easiest to find, but they are the easiest to cultivate. Depending on the density of that vital aura, its appearance when seen with Copper Sight can vary from dull and limited to intensely bright and overwhelming. It is important to note that some varieties of vital aura are far harder to see than others and may take time and training to see (one such example being death aura). Copper Sight varies by Path and individual; one artist may see the world and the vital aura around them very differently from another artist on a different path. Generally, the aura an artist gathers will be the most prominent in the surrounding environmental, especially as they advance and learn to find aura in different places.
::*Conjoined with Copper sight is the capability to begin cycling vital aura into themselves and their core. Over time, as one cycles the barest amount of aura through their core, the core will eventually take on these aspects and begin to produce that madra on its own.
::*With the condensing of one's core comes a potency and quantity of madra that was previously unachievable. An individual can now use a more varied selection of techniques and power more potent scripts.

<br>Note, following Eithan’s instructions, Lindon began to cycle the [[Heaven and Earth Purification Wheel]] at this stage, and to use the parasite ring, rather than waiting until Jade, as more typically done. However, he was on the verge of Iron, and his core is [[Pure Madra|pure madra]]. (See book 2, Soulsmith)

===Iron Level===
(Note — in the books, the word body isn’t capitalized. It’s written Iron body.)
<br>Achieving Iron can be a very painful endeavor, and some handle it better than others. There are three distinct types of Iron bodies, and the type of Iron body an artist achieves will have a significant effect on their future advancement. To reach the beginning of Iron advancement, one must first stretch their core to increase the amount of madra they can hold at once. Eventually, they will reach the point where their core will feel like it is about to overflow. To reach this point an artist may use varied cycling techniques as well as a variety of other methods, elixirs, fruits, and constructs to aid their growth. A simple and inexpensive way to do this is to have the artist forge their own scales, and then once their core is full again, they consume their scales to push the boundaries of their core and force it to stretch and grow. At this point, a sacred artist's next steps will determine the type of Iron body they will have.

====Iron body====
Regarding terminology, the author says: “There are actually grades of Perfect Iron body, so of course they're not all perfect. The terminology I regret, but I'm stuck with it now.” (Will Wight, conversation)

* See [[Iron body]] for a list of Iron bodies by character

====Grades of Iron====

:# '''Basic Iron Body'''. To achieve, once the artist's core feels like overflowing, they allow it to pour through their body as it reforges their body with madra. The artist will enter a trance during this process while their body is purged of impurities, and their body is remade. While this body grants great strength, speed, and durability, it will inhibit the artist's future advancement. If a prodigy, the artist may reach Truegold in their old age. But an imperfect Iron body would never be able to endure the soulfire transformation required to become an underlord/underlady.
:# '''Perfect Iron Body'''. To achieve this Iron body, a sacred artist must first reach the same threshold as required by the basic Iron body. However, before the artist allows their core to overflow, they must first use a cycling technique to infuse every inch of their body with madra. If they allow their core to overflow and begin the transformation before the process of infusion begins, they will be limited to a basic Iron body and will never reach the heights that a Perfect Iron body may allow them to achieve. On top of having a strong foundation for future advancement, a perfect Iron body is physically superior to a basic Iron body.
:# '''Advanced Perfect Iron Body'''. The highest and greatest Iron bodies give advantages and abilities beyond that of a perfect Iron body. To achieve an advanced perfect Iron body a sacred artist follows the same process required for a perfect Iron body, with an extra step added between infusing ones body and allowing their core's madra to wash through them. There is a great variety of advanced perfect Iron bodies, with each having its own requirements and granting certain benefits and abilities. Most of these abilities even develop and increase as one advances in the sacred arts. Methods of achieving an advanced Perfect Iron body vary depending on the specific outcome one is trying to achieve. However, different methods include repeatedly breaking every bone in one's body, repeatedly burning all the flesh one has, being bitten by a sand viper while simultaneously drinking its blood, and being wrapped in cloud-like silk while being suspended in the air for days on end. Additionally, as one advances, elixirs can further strengthen an already advanced perfect Iron body. For example, the Arelius cousins [[House Arelius#Veris & Altavian|Veris and Altavian]] gave strengthening elixirs to Yerin and Lindon, at the [[18th Uncrowned King Tournament]]

====Character Examples====
Characters with advanced Perfect Iron bodies:
* [[Lindon]] has the Bloodforged Iron body, which increases resistance against poison, and grants increased self-regeneration
*[[Eithan]] has the Raindrop Iron body, which increases one's reflexes and reaction speed
*[[Akura Mercy]] has the The Puppeteer’s Iron body, which grants perfect control of one's own body
*[[Yerin]] has the Steel Forged Iron body, which gives the user increasingly overwhelming strength the further they advance in the sacred arts

====Iron Benefits====
:* Achieving Iron grants a sacred artist a core that has an increased capacity to hold madra, and a strength of madra beyond that of Copper.
:* A body that has been remade by madra and purged of impurities. The body of an Iron artist is without a doubt superhuman. They are faster, stronger, and more durable by far than any normal human being. It is said that it takes ten coppers to challenge an Iron, and ten Irons to challenge a Jade. This has not been shown to be strictly true, but the saying serves as a rough guide and helps to illustrate the strength that is granted by an Iron body. (The inaccuracy of the statement is mostly due to the fact that the beginning and the peak of any given stage can have vast differences in power. This becomes more true at the height of the rank.)
:* The last benefit is the varied abilities an advanced Perfect Iron body can give.

===Jade Level===
At Jade, the sacred artist develops Jade senses, which is spiritual awareness. This is also the last stage to prep for the Gold Realm and beyond by developing an excellent cycling technique and beginning to really push out the madra channels throughout the entire body. Just as Iron renews and reforges the body, Jade has a similar effect on the Spirit. The base steps of reaching Jade is twofold. The first, like advancing to Iron, is to reach beyond the capacity of one's core. This is done slowly and over time. At each different advancement, the core is also able to grow until it reaches a certain threshold at which point it approaches the limit. The second critical step is to create a spiral in one's core through a cycling technique. Once the artist’s madra reaches a certain threshold of concentration and power while holding the Spiral pattern, they reach Jade.

:The process one takes to reach Jade has a significant impact on the quality of the Jade soul and the likelihood of future advancement. The key factor in the Jade advancement process is the cycling technique one uses. If one does not have a strong enough Jade cycling technique, the spiritual foundation will become shakier and shakier with each advancement, until their spirit is no longer strong enough to advance. Techniques that grant firm spiritual foundations are rare, powerful, and highly valued. Such techniques have long and complicated histories, and some are closely guarded secrets. The [[Heaven and Earth Purification Wheel]] (HaEPW)developed by [[Eithan Arelius]] is one example. Every path has its own Jade cycling technique that focuses on a different field. Some focus on processing aura efficiently, others help you recover your madra in a minute, and the HaEPW focuses on deepening one's core, increasing its density.
====Jade Benefits====
:* The spiraling motion of a Jade core condenses the quality of one's madra, increase receptivity to spiritual forces, speeds up madra recovery, and increases control over one's madra.
:* The greatest benefit of Jade is the gaining of a spiritual sense that allows an artist to sense madra and the madra of others. This sense can greatly increase with practice, skill and cultivation rank.
:* The spiral pattern of Jade is what allows for the containment of enough power to reach Gold. Eventually, the suction force of one's spiraling core will be strong enough to contain a Remnant.

==Gold Realm==
While the Foundation Realm is dedicated to setting a strong physical and spiritual foundation for advancement, the Gold Realm revolves around the accumulation and refinement of power. [[Orthos]] explains this to [[Lindon]] when he advances:
<blockquote>Iron had come with a new body, and Jade with a new soul. Compared to those changes, this felt too simple. Maybe if he had adopted a Remnant, instead of taking in power through a contract, he would have seen a real difference.
Orthos gingerly stretched out a leg, wincing at the pain. “Humans make every stage into a legend. A Lowgold is just a Jade with teeth. The only difference between Jade and Gold is a mountain of power.” He gave Lindon a look that radiated smug pride. “Now you see the real glory of Blackflame.” (Blackflame ch 19)</blockquote>

===Lowgold===
The rank of Lowgold can be obtained in one of three ways, and they all involve increasing power. Regardless of the process a sacred artist takes, the primary difference between Jade and Lowgold is a ''mountain'' of power.

: Three ways to reach Lowgold:
:#One way to reach Lowgold is simply gathering power over time: “It would take you hundreds of years and a ridiculous amount of unnecessary work, but you could do it.” One could also increase power through costly elixirs and pills. Or one could do both. This slow and/or expensive process is likely how sacred artists achieved Lowgold before the process for using a Remnant was discovered. In modern times it is likely only used by those with pure madra.
:#The second and most common path is taking a compatible [[Remnant]] into one's core. This Remnant is a spiritual remainder made of madra. It can come from either a human or a sacred beast and usually breaches the power gap between Jade and Lowgold. Adopting a Remnant comes with a Goldsign. Goldsigns come in two categories. The first type alters a physical characteristic. Examples include metallic frozen hair in the [[Jai Clan]], a mouth like a serpent, and limbs covered in slick shadow. The second category are those that add on to one's form. Such Goldsigns include the addition of [[Yerin]]’s bladed limbs, Naru wings, etc. When one takes in a Remnant, one must learn to control and absorb it, and some are very powerful. If the [[Remnant]] is not carefully selected for compatibility, it could cause great damage, as seen with [[Jai Long]].
:# The third way to reach Lowgold is to quickly increase power by contracting with a [[Sacred Beasts|sacred beast]] of greater power and advancement. This is done via a spiritually binding contract where the sacred artist and sacred beast swear to share cores and power. See [[Orthos]] and [[Lindon]]. The eyes change color to reflect the bonded partner (“You don’t need a Remnant to have a Goldsign” said Eithan, Blackflame, ch 20).

===Lowgold / Gold Benefits===
* The first and major advantage is actually entering the Gold realm of the sacred arts, wherein the potency and power is far beyond that of any Foundation realm sacred artist.
*As one's madra is stronger, their Iron body is also reinforced and grows more potent.
*One's spiritual sense increases in potency
**This pattern of increased strength and spiritual perception repeats when advancing from Lowgold to Highgold and from Highgold to Truegold.
*Also, there is an additional benefit to contracting with another sacred being, as Lindon did with Orthos to advance to Lowgold: The universe itself recognizes the unity between spiritually bonded individuals. This unity allowed Lindon to extend his mantle of protection over his bonded turtle Orthos and his bonded spirit, Little Blue, in book 10, Reaper.

===Highgold===
: To reach Highgold, there are different steps depending on which process a sacred artist took to reach Lowgold, adopting a Remnant or not. Regardless, the basic requirement is for the artist to grow such a great quantity of madra that it will naturally and rapidly be drawn into their core, like a drain had opened in their core. Basically the great 'mass' of their madra causes it to condense and become far, far more dense and potent.
: The Paths:
:* For those who accrue madra naturally and/or by contracting with a sacred beast, they must cycle, stretch and grow their core until they can hold the quantity/density of madra that causes the condensation and advancement to Highgold.
:* For those that take in a Remnant, the path includes the above and a few more steps. They may just do as above, but it is quicker and more productive for the artist to digest and master their Remnant. An artist can not reach the peak of Truegold and advance beyond unless and until they master it. To reach Highgold, an artist must learn to use more than the excess energy the Remnant provides. This is normally done by breaking down the Remnant and digesting its skills, abilities, and power.

===Truegold===
Truegold is the highest level within the Gold Realm. For the vast majority of the people of Cradle, Truegold is considered the limit of what one can reasonably achieve. Of course, among the most powerful clans, achieving the Lord Realm is a possibility. Even still, it is only the strong, brilliant, and utterly determined who may reach these heights. Unlike the Gold Realm where one may jump from Lowgold to Truegold in just two pills, there is no elixir or spirit fruit that can take one into the Lord Realm. To venture into the Lord Realm there are requirements beyond pure power. It is here that the foundation of one's body, soul, and character is truly tested and reborn.
<br> Before one may advance beyond the Gold Realm, a sacred artist must first achieve the 'Peak' of Truegold. To reach beyond these extreme limits and to have one's body and soul remade in soulfire is the very essence of stepping into the Lord Realm. A sacred artist has achieved the Peak of Truegold when they have masterful control of their own spirit and madra, to the very limit of what a perfect Jade soul may allow.

==Soulfire==

<blockquote> A dull gray spark passed from the middle of the broom where Eithan gripped it, washing along to both ends. Soulfire: the signature of an Underlord.. . Soulfire itself, and the process of weaving it from vital aura, gave Lords powers that no Gold could access. (Blackflame ch 18)</blockquote>

Soulfire is the hallmark of the Lord Realm. It is purified vital aura, with no impurities or imperfections. When created, it is stored in one's soul space and may be used by the sacred artist in a variety of ways. By its very nature, soulfire does not consume, but rather burns away impurities as it refines physical vessels and empowers madra. Underladies and Underlords often use soulfire to imbue both items and techniques, vastly increasing their strength and power. As a sacred artist possessing soulfire has mastered the world around them, they may also use it to control the vital aura of the world. This process is generally not as powerful as ruler techniques and is thus not often used in battle. It is, however, very useful in daily life. And it’s of tremendous importance when [[Soulsmithing]] advanced constructs, including weapons.

<b><u>Excerpt: Madra, Soulfire, & Will </b> </u>
<blockquote> Eithan stroked his chin. “Picture, if you will, a building with many floors. Each floor is higher than the last, and each supports the one above it. These floors are the laws that govern our existence. At the bottom, the foundation, are the physical laws.” He clapped his hands together. “It’s no less complex than the other systems, and it forms the basis for all of them, but it is superseded by the level above it.”
<br>He spread his palms apart slightly to reveal the blue-white coin he’d Forged. “Madra.” A snap, and the madra disappeared. “With madra, we can break and bend and overrule the physical laws that would have bound us otherwise. Within certain rules and limits, of course. If we continue this analogy, soulfire is the staircase between the madra system and the next level up. At which we exert our wills to control the world directly.” (Bloodline ch 4) </blockquote>

Soulfire is the hallmark of the Lord Realm, but the demarcation between Truegold and Lord is not cast in concrete. For example, a peak Truegold who has actually woven a little soulfire can even challenge a new or weaker Underlord. [[Jai Long]] could externally conjure up a little soulfire while at peak Truegold. <blockquote> He resumed his training, this time letting soulfire leak into his techniques. A small colorless spark infused one of the snakes that he produced. He couldn’t infuse his techniques with soulfire while they were inside him — his body and spirit still couldn’t handle it — but he could refine techniques with soulfire as he used them. It was clumsy compared to what a real Underlord could do, like trying to paint while holding the brush with his toes, but at least there wasn’t much any other Truegold could do to him. (Reaper, ch 5)</blockquote>

==The Lord Realm==
Soulfire is the Signature of the Lord Realm. Having reached the peak of Truegold, there are three steps to advancing to the Lord Realm, but these steps are beyond the simple accumulation of power and require insight into oneself and the world. It is for this reason that Truegold is often the last step on a sacred artist’s journey. There are many who attempt the work, but for one reason or another become stuck and never enter the Lord Realm.

==Underlord & Lady==
There are three steps to reaching Underlord & Underlady, all cumulating in a personal revelation that looks backward in time: Why did I first begin to follow the sacred arts? What pushed me forward? When this insight resonates within, one reaches outward, to the vital aura all around, and is then washed in soulfire, reborn, rejuvenated, body and soul. This is detailed below:
# '''Master yourself'''. Using the power of a peak Truegold and masterful control of one's spirit, a sacred artist must open a space in the very center of one's spirit, the center of their being. At that very point, they must flex their spirit, like expanding an invisible lung. There will be a strain, like pulling in a breath of mud, before the sacred artist will feel space open in their soul. This opening is called a Soulspace and may be used to store a single item in one's very soul. When first opened this space is small, barely large enough to hold a bean. With time and effort, a sacred artist may expand this space until they are able to hold a much larger and more powerful object.
# '''Master the world around you'''. A sacred artist begins by learning to sense the unity of aura. All vital aura is connected, and power flows from one aspect to another. Once one can sense this unity, they can begin to weave soulfire from the vital aura. In order to train one's self in this, a specific mantra can be used to guide the process. "Follow the unity of Aura. Each aspect links to the next. Vital Aura has no beginning and no end, it is all one." Once the artist begins to feel the unity of aura flowing in the world around them, they can 'pull' on that aura, bringing it into themselves and distilling it into soulfire. This process is far easier when one weaves soulfire from powerful natural treasures but can be done from the loose vital aura of the world as well.
# '''Connect yourself to the world'''. Once a sacred artist has opened their soul space and filled it with soul fire, they connect themselves to the world around them by calling upon their soul fire and the vital aura of the world to reforge their body from soul fire. Igniting the transformation is quite difficult. Many Underladies and Underlords can not themselves say what it is that began their transformation. As mysterious as this step is, the truly wise have passed on their wisdom to their disciples. To begin the soulfire transformation, one must have a true and deep understanding of themselves and have a personal revelation that causes the soulfire within to resonate with the vital aura around them, activating the advancement. Over time this revelation has specifically been discovered to be the true reason one pursues the sacred arts. The mantra from above continues "Follow the Unity of Aura. Soul Fire is Vital Aura distilled, it is the power of the world condensed. Feel how it resonates with everything around you, drawing you closer to nature. Now follow that sensation back to yourself, deep into your soul, into your mind. Now, why do you practice the sacred arts?"

One strategy of finding this personal truth was shared by Akura Mercy, "follow your fear". Rather than asking what goal one travels to, what is it that drives one from behind.

Once this revelation is achieved, the transformation will begin. One's personal revelation connects them to their own spirit and then soulfire carries that resonance to the outside world. That then draws on the aura to fuel one's soulfire and burn away one's body and spirit, leaving one reborn as a Lord or Lady. The more soulfire one has, the easier it is to trigger the resonance. Some find their reason but don't have enough soulfire to trigger the resonance.

==Overlord & Lady==
In Sects and Kingdoms outside of a Monarch's direct family or clan, Overlords and Overladies are Kings and Empresses, the peak of their people's power. The fate of whole nations and peoples are decided by the life and actions of such a one. For example, Emperor [[Naru Huan]] of the [[Blackflame Empire]] is an Overlord, as is King Dakota of the [[Seishen Kingdom]]. Both are vassals to Monarch Akura Malice.

The advance from Underlord to Overlord is easier than from Truegold to Underlord. One has to accumulate power and gain another personal insight. “One had to be at the peak of Underlord to trigger the advancement to Overlord, at least if you ever wanted to advance again, and peak Underlords were almost always older.” (Wintersteel ch 6)

The Overlord revelation is who you are now, in the present. This is different from the Underlord revelation, which was what got you started on your journey into the [[Sacred Arts|sacred arts]], in your past. What pushed you forward. What fear drove you on? But the Overlord insight is concerned with the present, not the past.

<br>Eithan gave Lindon some tips for advancement. It seems they overlap with Sage insights, but then, Eithan is prescient and perspicacious: <blockquote> “Think about the will behind each of your three types of madra. The significance. The intentions. What do they have in common? Is there one purpose that unifies everything you can do?” Lindon paid rapt attention, but the portal was starting to physically pull Eithan in. It looked like he was struggling against a strong wind. “Also, think of how others see you. What are you to them? This perspective will help you understand your revelation!” (Wintersteel ch 7) </blockquote>
As for himself, Eithan advanced rapidly and easily to Overlord:
<blockquote> He stepped into the natural treasure storeroom, feeling his soulfire resonate with the surrounding aura. He stretched out to the treasures he needed, striking a balance, and held his attention on them as he focused on his Overlord revelation. He had discovered it long ago, and it hadn’t changed. “I. . .see.” It wasn’t as simple a statement as it sounded. It described who he was. Eithan was one who saw. He happened to know that Cladia’s Overlord revelation had been very similar. He thought about that as his chosen treasures evaporated and Overlord soulfire passed through him in a breath, refining and strengthening him. The advancement to Overlord wasn’t as dramatic a leap as the one to Underlord, and he easily controlled the reaction to avoid losing his clothes. A good thing, too. He was fond of this outfit. Seconds after he entered the storeroom, he stepped back out. (Wintersteel, ch 7)</blockquote>

==Archlord & Lady==
The Archlord revelation is looking into the future. It is who you are going to be, what you are moving towards, with respect to the sacred arts, as we saw in Lindon's Archlord advancement in book 10, Reaper. So, to recap:
*The Underlord revelation — the past. Why did I first begin to practice the sacred arts?
*Overlord revelation — the present. Who am I today, how do others see me, vis-à-vis the sacred arts?
*Archlord revelation — the future. Where am I going, who will I become, as a sacred artist?

With the vital aura in resonance, Archlord soulfire sweeps through the sacred artist, refining and strengthening both physically and spiritually. The advanced sacred artist now has even more power than at Overlord rank, and far, far more than when an Underlord: <blockquote> The difference between Underlord and Archlord was like the distance between the lowest valley and the highest stars. There was no Archlord in all the Blackflame Empire. (Bloodline ch 9)</blockquote>
<br>Even in the great families of Monarchs, many view Archladies and Archlords as the peak of what can be achieved. Known characters at Archlord level are [[Akura Justice]] and [[Ziel]], provisionally.

Archlords, steeped in great power, are typically not yet capable of ascending beyond Cradle, but it is possible for an exceptional Archlord to ascend. “Herald, Sage, even some Archlords make it out by their own power.” (Bloodline ch 1)

Also, aging slows to a crawl. Archlords can love for hundreds of years, possibly a thousand.

===Lord Realm Benefits===
One obvious benefit to advancement into the Lord realm is the increase in spiritual and physical power.

Another benefit of advancing to the Lord Realm is the use of soulfire. No sacred artist employs soulfire better than did [[Eithan Arelius]] during his duel with [[Sha Miara]] in the [[18th Uncrowned King Tournament]]. <Blockquote> A Hollow Spear suffused with soulfire pierced her lower abdomen as black scissors flashed into his hand. He couldn’t safely activate the Archlord binding within, but he didn’t need to. The weapon was a perfect conductor for madra and soulfire. He Enforced the weapon and drove it through her temple. No sooner had he pierced the skin than she dissolved into white light. Eithan sent one more pulse of pure madra into the device in his pocket: a stopwatch. Nine seconds. (Wintersteel chapter 3) </blockquote>

An additional benefit is the ability to form a soul space and place items inside it, if only tiny beans at first.

Plus, for every level one advances into the Lord Realm, one’s spirit and body is washed and reborn in soulfire. This rejuvenation is powerful, increasing physical and spiritual strength. When this happens, the individual doesn’t need as much sleep and the aging process slows down more with each new level. Archlords can live for hundreds and hundreds of years. The Iron body becomes more resistant to poison and impervious to assault. By the time [[Ziel]] reached Archlord, he’d been washed in soulfire three times, resulting in a guy who looks 18, when he’s actually 35.
Also, with each advancement into the Lord Realm, one can better employ weapons forged with advanced bindings. <blockquote>Netherclaw “swept down with an Archlord’s power. As with all the bindings in these weapons, Netherclaw’s technique would be more powerful when Yerin was an actual Archlady, but it was still a devastating blow.” (Wintersteel chapter 21)</blockquote>

==Beyond Archlord==
Archlord is just an amazing achievement. Only a handful of sacred artists achieve Archlord, and only the rarest and most dedicated advance beyond it.

Sages, Heralds, and Monarchs are advanced enough to ascend from this iteration into [[The Way and The Worlds]]. Even an exceptional Archlord could advance. Someday, they could possibly even join the [[Abidan]] forces and maintain order and the [[Eledari Pact]]. Or — they might side with the [[Vroshir]], and possibly even merge with a Fiend, as did [[Vroshir|The Mad King]].

Aging stops for Sage, Heralds, and Monarchs.

The advancement order here is flexible, but to advance to Monarch, it seems that one must first go through Sage and Herald levels. One could skip Sage and go on to Herald, and vice-versa. For example, Akura Fury, at the time ranked Herald, manifested Sage Authority and immediately after that, an Icon appeared overhead, the Fist, thus advancing him to Monarch. It all happened together at once, but he’d been waiting with his power to advance, to attack [[Xorrus]] and three more dragon Heralds. <blockquote> That’s called the Strength Icon, or the Fist Icon, or the Symbol of Bodily Power, depending on where you’re from.] An Icon. Fury had broken through. He was ascending to Monarch. (Wintersteel ch 25)</blockquote>

==Sage==
A Sage is usually — but not always — a peak Archlord or Archlady who has manifested an Icon of Authority and is able to touch The Way. It’s a spiritual power, and the [[Icons|Icon]] is inherent to the Way itself. Though being an Archlord makes becoming a Sage easier due to the boost in power it provides, one only has to be an Underlord in order to do it — in Lindon’s case. It is possible that it is more difficult to become a Sage than it is for one to advance to Herald.

“Becoming a Sage takes mostly individual insight and accomplishment, so there’s only so much that can be taught or trained.” (Wintersteel chapter 21) Becoming a Sage requires deep insight, vast reserves of willpower, and embodying a concept thoroughly enough to be recognized for it by something greater. Sage rank is usually achieved by those who forge their own Paths.

===Icon===
<b> See [[Icons#List of Known Icons|List of Icons per Sage]] </b>
<br>
An Icon is a signature of Authority, bestowed by the mystical Way. A Lord manifests an Icon when the Way recognizes him/her as the living embodiment of a concept. An Icon is an embodiment of a concept greater than humanity and the mark of a Sage. Those who are able to manifest an Icon gain the ability to command reality itself and to brush against [[The Way and The Worlds|The Way]].
<blockquote> "To become a Sage, you have to contact a greater power, a symbol of a greater concept of reality. We call that symbol an Icon.” (Wintersteel, ch 7, [[Min Shuei]] the Winter Sage, speaking to Yerin)</blockquote>
<blockquote> “In the past, the concept of a Sage was much more. . .fluid. . .than it is today. When manifesting an Icon, it is very important to understand the significance of your madra and to sense it deeply. Equally important is some kind of technique to regularly train your willpower. For years. An exercise that pushes your focus and concentration ever further, and that most people would give up or abandon for easier trails…. . . “Now, the specific Icon you manifest depends not only on the nature of your madra currently, but on a concept that has always been core to your identity. Even in childhood." (Wintersteel, ch 27, [[Eithan]] speaking to Lindon)</blockquote>

===Sage Benefits===
Advanced spiritual perception. Greater will. Will is a big deal for a Sage, but increasing madra density, maybe not so much. With enough practice, ability to create rifts, void spaces, teleport, etc. The ability to place your mantle of protection over your bonded partners. It is speculated that Sages are the lowest stage capable of touching/sensing [[The Way and The Worlds|'''''The Way''''']]'''''.''''' This is commonly called Authority and allows the direct manipulation of the world around the Sage through an application of Will. The [[Abidan]] are said to prefer Sages for ascension because they are already able to access the Way.

Though the aging process for Archlords is very slow, Sages, Heralds, and Monarchs do not age at all. Also, Sages, Heralds, and Monarchs are capable of ascending beyond Cradle.

==Herald==
The rank of Herald is usually achieved by peak Archlords. Advancement occurs typically by fusing with one’s own Remnant, thus becoming half physical and half spirit. The spirit that’s been forming within the sacred artist is now made complete. Being half spirit, Heralds are no longer limited by their physical capabilities or madra channels.
<br>
<b>See [[Herald (Advancement)|List of Known Heralds]] </b>

[[Ziel]] and [[Eithan Arelius]] discuss how to reach Herald: <blockquote> “Besides, if you can reach peak Archlord, you know what it takes to become a Herald? Brute force.” <br>

“Brute force as in enough raw resources to choke a Monarch, but you left out the part where you need such a thorough understanding of your own spirit that you and your Remnant can work together.” Ziel gave Eithan a smug look. “Don’t think that just because I’m young I haven’t done my research.” Just as many sacred artists remained stuck at different stages in the Lord realm because they didn’t understand how to pass their revelations, many Archlords remained stuck because they had no one to teach them how to reach Herald. Often, by the time they did find someone to tell them the truth, their spirits were twisted against them. Sometimes because of injury, or broken oaths, and sometimes because their spirits hated them. (Reaper, ch 17)</blockquote>

===Herald: Yerin+Ruby===
In Wintersteel(Cradle #8) [[Yerin Arelius]] becomes a Herald at Overlady. “There is no such thing as an Overlord Herald,” Northstrider said. His stony face quirked into a small smile. (Wintersteel ch 25)

Yerin did so by fusing with her spirit, [[The Bleeding Phoenix|Blood Shadow, Ruby]]. Ruby is, at her core, a hunger spirit, with hunger madra as well as blood madra (Wintersteel ch 22). Yerin and Ruby both agreed to combine, mutually, but it was still very difficult to do:<blockquote> She gripped Ruby’s robe with renewed intensity. “We should combine.” Ruby narrowed one eye. “You cracked in the head?” “Like Heralds do with their Remnants!” Yerin insisted.. . . “Bleed and bury me,” Ruby said, “I’m in.” .. . They clasped identical hands. Yerin opened her spirit and focused her will, pulling the Blood Shadow back into her spirit. Where she belonged. Ruby didn’t melt and flow back into Yerin’s spirit, but while Yerin was pulling, Ruby started to push. Her own will flowed into Yerin, trying to take over Yerin’s body as Yerin fought to take her spirit. It was so much harder than Yerin had expected.. . After a few endless seconds of intense struggle, their wills snapped into place. They wanted the same thing, after all, they were just coming at it from different angles. Red madra began to flow through Yerin’s channels in reverse. And her silver madra let it happen. (Wintersteel ch 25)</blockquote>
The [[Sage of Red Faith]], founder of the [[Dreadgod cult]] Redmoon Hall, is obsessed with Yerin. He wants to examine her, find out how she succeeded with her Blood Shadow while his own shadow decieved him.

===Herald Benefits===
Like Sages, Heralds do not age and can ascend from Cradle to [[The Way and The Worlds]].
<br>They are exceedingly powerful. They have been known to raze cities and destroy vast forests. Their power is legendary and far beyond the vast majority of the billions who live on Cradle.

<blockquote>“That, ladies and gentlemen, illustrates the strength of Heralds. While Sages focus their willpower outside of themselves, to make changes to the world directly, Heralds focus it inwardly. They enhance their own power beyond all limitations.” (Bloodline ch 4) </blockquote>
Heralds can shift between physical and spirtual form:
<blockquote> Northstrider reappeared before her. “A Herald’s spirit and body are one. You can use your power freely, and your own body can shift to spiritual or physical form. Like sacred instruments that can be stored in a soulspace.. . You will not be a true Herald until you advance to the peak of Archlord the traditional way, but you can think of yourself as being. . .more than any other Overlord.” He looked into the black orb as though checking something. “It’s fascinating. The Blood Sage will do anything to examine you. I would advise you not to let him.” (Wintersteel ch 25) </blockquote>
Many Heralds never advance to Monarch. Instead, they ascend, leaving Cradle behind them. [[Akura Fury]] ascended within days or advancing to Monarch.

==Monarch==
*See list of [[Monarch factions]]
Monarch is the highest level of advancement the sacred artist can obtain without ascending from the iteration. Their power is just ridiculous. They do not age, often living for centuries but looking quite young. For example, [[Reigan Shen]] was a young Underlord more than 500 years ago, during the [[Dread Wars]].
<br>Monarchs can hear their name spoken from anywhere on Cradle, it seems. <blockquote> He had heard repeatedly about the Monarch ability to hear their name spoken. He still didn’t fully understand it —- Monarchs were figures of myths and legends, so surely there were too many people talking about them all over the world to pay attention to everyone. (Wintersteel ch 2)</blockquote>

Obviously, a Monarch has even greater Authority over reality than Sages or Heralds. However, capabilities with certain aspects of Authority still vary from one Monarch to another, or from a Monarch to a Sage or Herald. Though the power differential between Monarchs and Heralds /Sages is not verified, it is said that one Monarch is roughly equal to at least four Heralds or Sages combined. Consider also the [[Eight-Man Empire]], which operates as a functional Monarch even though all eight members are Sages or Heralds.

For example, at Sky’s Edge, four cult leaders at Herald or Sage rank battled one newborn Monarch, [[Akura Fury]] (Wintersteel ch 26) <blockquote> Chunks of the surrounding mountains hurled themselves at Fury, courtesy of the Abyssal Palace Herald. The Herald of Redmoon Hall struck with waves of bloody needles like crimson cloud banks, while the Herald of the Silent Servants cut at Fury with endless slashes of a white sword that lit up the sky. The Stormcallers had no Herald, but one Sage. It was hard for Lindon to follow the exact details of the fight, but the Sage of Calling Storms seemed to be wrestling against Fury’s authority, opposing whenever Fury made one of his echoing commands. Lindon could feel the will pressing down on Fury, constraining him. The newborn Monarch kept fighting. (Wintersteel ch 26) </blockquote>
===Advancing to Monarch===
“Monarchs are those who have advanced both to Herald and to Sage” (Wintersteel, ch 13)
<br>
“Questioner: Can an Archlord get to Monarch without becoming a Sage?
<br>Will Wight (paraphrased): Yes. ([https://abidanarchive.com/events/1/#e519 Archives e519])”
<br>
An explanation: For an Archlord to become a Monarch without hitting Sage, they must advance to Herald first, and then manifest an Icon. Gaining an Icon at Herald doesn't make you a Herald + Sage, it makes you a Monarch. Conversely if a Sage manifests their Remnant and successfully merges with it, they become a Monarch and not Sage + Herald. For example, the Herald [[Akura Fury]] manifested the [[Icons|Strength Icon]] and advanced to Monarch (Wintersteel, ch 26).

<br>Advancing to Monarch from either the Sage or the Herald level is explained as focusing on opposing ideas: <Blockquote> As it turned out, there were reasons beyond the mystical why Heralds found it difficult to comprehend Sage techniques, and vice-versa. They required almost entirely opposite training methods. To become stronger as a Herald, Yerin had to push herself to the limit and accumulate power. It took a mind-boggling quantity of resources to push one to the peak of Herald, which was the way to maximize the chances of a successful advancement to Monarch. She had to cycle diligently, take every elixir she could afford, and fight often. Yerin found that an easy road to travel. But to advance as a Sage, Lindon had to meditate on his Icon, and take actions to “align himself conceptually to its deeper meaning.” (Reaper, ch 6) </blockquote>

===Northstrider’s Advancement===
When he was a Sage, Northstrider advanced to Monarch, perhaps with a quick kick into Herald. He did this by meditating for hours, manifesting his own dragon Remnant in front of him — it looked like black flame and seemed to be made almost entirely of blood madra — and then drawing his spirit into his flesh, merging with it, fusing spirit and flesh together <blockquote> Northstrider draws his Remnant into his flesh, and his Remnant resists. Their wills clash, the spirit trying to consume him even as he does the same. Though it involves no sacred techniques, only a straightforward competition of focus and resolve, it is the deadliest fight of his life. Being a Sage makes this harder. His Remnant has power and authority beyond what an ordinary Archlord’s spirit should. If he fails, he can’t simply try again. There’s a real possibility that his very existence will be erased. But his will is steel. He weaves his own Remnant into his body, spirit becoming flesh and flesh fusing with spirit. For the final time in his life, his body is remade. Reality itself quakes at the birth of a Monarch. (Wintersteel chapter 2) </blockquote>

===Monarchs at War===
Monarchs do not age, as already stated, but they are known to die in combat. A few years before the Cradle series begins, Monarch [[Reigan Shen]] killed Monarch [[Tiberian Arelius]]. The battle ravaged the land. During the first book (Unsouled), the Sha Monarch died because her lifeline was cut short when battling nasty plague-spirits, which left her daughter, young [[Sha Miara]], on the throne. Long long ago, the ancient tree Herald [[Emriss Silentborn]] was murdered by a few Monarchs because she was too eager to make an open-information, global learning community. But she reformed from the many Remnants of her ancient leaves, becoming the current Remnant Monarch.

<br>Monarchs have obscene amounts of power, but as we learn in Reaper, they are the source of hunger aura, as they refuse to ascend, and the world cannot contain them. They generate corruptive hunger aura. They are the reason that [[Dreadgod]]s exist. Then they must battle the beasts. More than five hundred years ago, during the apocalyptic [[Dread Wars]], billions of people died and only two Monarchs survived. (See also [[hunger madra]])

==Ascension==
Archlords can -— in rare cases —- ascend: “Herald, Sage, even some Archlords make it out by their own power” (Bloodline ch 1), but typically, only Sages, Heralds, and Monarchs are advanced enough to ascend from this iteration and travel into [[The Way and The Worlds]]. It is just a step through a portal into the blue yonder. Someday, they could possibly even join the [[Abidan]] forces. Or they might side with the [[Vroshir]], and possibly even merge with a Fiend, as did [[Vroshir|The Mad King]]. Perhaps they will find the missing Reaper, [[Ozriel]].
<br>[[Akura Fury]] ascends, stepping into the portal, taking his family along:<blockquote>Two figures flanked the portal on either side, each dressed in seamless eggshell-white armor. Abidan, like the one who had hijacked the Uncrowned King tournament. They stood under banners that depicted a stylized fox wrapped in its own tail, and as Lindon watched, the fox on the banner curled up tight. As though the ink was alive and the noise had interrupted its sleep. “Welcome to Threshold, adept,” a dark-skinned woman announced. Though she didn’t sound like she’d raised her voice, her words echoed through the room. “You take your first steps into the world beyond.” “Thanks!” Uncle Fury said brightly. “Let’s go, everybody!” (Bloodline ch 2)</blockquote>

According to Suriel, sixth Judge of the Abidan, even young [[Wei Shi Lindon]] can already ascend, at Underlord-Sage. <blockquote> Suriel had given Lindon the marble so that she could find him again if and when he ascended. Or possibly when he faced the choice of whether or not to ascend. This was too early, and her Presence knew that. Then again, that was only something she had decided herself. She hadn’t spoken any sort of oath. And Lindon had manifested an Icon, even brushing against the Way at a rudimentary level. Technically, he could ascend now, far ahead of schedule. That should be rewarded. Begin transmission, Suriel commanded. (Bloodline, ch 17)</blockquote>

{{Books}}

[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Sacred Arts]]
[[Category:Cradle Advancement]]

The Way and The Worlds

2022-04-19T23:45:01Z

Nxcts: /* Related Links */

{{Cradle NavBox}}

==Related Links==
*The [[Abidan]] — the judges, the Court of Seven
*The [[Vroshir]] — opposing the Abidan and the Eledari Pact

=='''The Way'''==
The [[Cradle]] series relates some info about the Way. It is described as blue, soothing, vast, etc. One book describes a map of the Way: <blockquote>A hologram bloomed in the center of the room. It was a map of the Way. It started as a single blue light in the middle, shining like the core of a galaxy. Rivers of sapphire light snaked out from it, forming branches, until it was a tangled nest of blue with little white spots hanging on it like berries. The Iterations. She waved her hand through the light on the outer edge of the orb of branching lines. A cluster of lights shone...and two of the Iterations darkened from white to a swirling gray. Corruption in Sector Seventy-two… (Uncrowned, ch 1)</blockquote>

The author explains it more, online:
<blockquote>Will Wight: The influence of the Way anchors worlds in reality by providing structure. Consistent, recognizable rules. In some of these worlds, even forces like gravity or time work differently, but they do work consistently within the world. That's the influence of the Way. ([https://abidanarchive.com/events/1/#e172 Abidan Archives]). The Way is the source of order. Its presence protects against the destructive and corruptive influence of chaos, and its nature sustains reality. ([https://www.willwight.com/a-blog-of-dubious-intent/cradle-world-the-abidan-part-1 Excerpt from Will Wight’s blog])</blockquote>

===Dying Worlds in the Way===
<blockquote> The death of an Iteration is natural, a part of the Way. Death is meant to be the end; this is part of the cosmic order. Only when an Iteration lives too long does it becomes a danger. When a world's population drops so low that it weakens the influence of the Way, but not so low that the Iteration breaks into fragments, that is when corruption sets in. Chaos seeps into the world, infecting it, subverting the laws that govern reality.

At this point, the [[Abidan]] can destroy the remaining population, thus removing the Iteration's last hold on existence. But now the world will break into fragments, and those fragments are tinged with chaos. They might crash into other Iterations, infecting them, or combine to create worlds that are corrupted from the very beginning.

There is only one being capable of erasing an iteration from existence entirely, erasing it, without breaking it down into fragments of chaos. [[Ozriel|Ozriel, the Reaper]] of the Abidan. And he's missing. ([https://www.willwight.com/a-blog-of-dubious-intent/cradle-world-the-abidan-part-1 Excerpt from Will Wight’s blog])</blockquote>

==The Void==
The void is a scary place, the opposite of the Way. In book 6, Underlord, [[Suriel]] of the [[Abidan]] enters the void, searching for any fragment of Iteration 943. <blockquote>She found nothing. She floated in endless emptiness, the pure void. Even the distant swirls of color that she usually saw in the void, wild fragments of broken worlds, were so distant that she couldn’t see them. This was a pure lack of existence. It frightened her more than anything she’d seen in years. [Warning: the Way has begun to repair itself. Recommend immediate return.] She could survive in the void, but not forever. It would begin to corrupt her, breaking down the influence of the Way, turning her into an incomprehensible Fiend. At that point, if she didn’t find an Iteration or a fragment to latch onto, the void would continue to break her down until she no longer existed. She stepped back into the Way, the endless power of order comforting her, but she still shivered internally at what she’d just seen. Iteration 943 had been erased. (Underlord, epilogue) </blockquote>
<br>

<b> <u>Q & A with the Author</u></b>
<blockquote>Will Wight: When the Abidan first started exploring the "shape" of the Way, they found it like a branching river, with Iterations like boulders in the stream. Outside the Way was the void: a hostile emptiness dotted with the fragments of broken worlds and populated by strange, unknowable creatures that sought to break rules and disrupt order.The farther you travel into the void, the more recognizable reality crumbles, until you cease to exist. Even these fiends of the void, incomprehensible nightmare beings, can only exist somewhat close to the Way, because existence itself is a function of order. However, when the Abidan organized, they determined that they would explore the scope and breadth of the Way. They followed each branch to its ending, until the power of the Way grew too thin to sustain them. Then they turned back. They found that the Way WAS finite. It had an end. They've mapped it like a three-dimensional spider web, like a branching skeletal ball. In and among its branches is the endless, infinite void. But their theory says that the Way should be infinite. There's no reason it should ever be contained, and indeed they've never seen it end; they've only followed it as far as they could. Some believe that the Way stretches across an endless cosmic darkness, and this is the only place it has pooled thickly enough to sustain life. Others believe that our Way is only one of many, and that there are other collections of reality out there. Perhaps an infinite number." (https://abidanarchive.com/events/1/#e172)</blockquote>

===Void Icon===
<b> Question & Answer with Will Wight:</b><blockquote> Questioner: Does the Void in the 'Void Sage' have any connection to the Vroshir 'Void'?
<br>
Will Wight: Ah, sort of, yeah. In the sense that the Void is just what they call the empty expanse outside of existence. And the Void Icon is the concept of non-existence or emptiness as reflected in the Way. So, its power does come from the Way, like any Icon does, so in that regard it’s not coming from The Void, it is coming from the Way. But you would be able to potentially, that is one potential use of the Void Icon is tapping into The Void. ([https://abidanarchive.com/events/25/#e1823 Archive1823]) </blockquote>

==The Eledari Pact==
A binding [[Abidan]] contract. An ancient agreement drafted by the first generation Abidan Judge, Makiel, Hound of Fate, and agreed upon between the original founding members of the Court of Seven Judges. This Pact both increases and restricts the powers of the [[Abidan]]. This pact is the tool that allows the Abidan Judges to control the power of the Way as they do. There are many rules in the Eledari Pact, but the most relevant one is the Abidan cannot use their powers to prevent the natural progression of an Iteration. They cannot interfere with fate.
<br>
<b>More info at [[Abidan#The Eledari Pact|Abidan, Eledari Pact]]</b>

==The Worlds==
An Iteration is a galaxy, or universe in some cases, with an habited planet. When a new Iteration forms that may be able to support life, the Abidan select a new population of human pioneers and send them to inhabit a suitable planet.

===Worldseeds===
Iterations are cobbled together, but brand new shiny worlds are only formed from Worldseeds, one of the rarest and most powerful and valuable magical treasures in existence. The Abidan only has three of them, for emergencies.<blockquote> Makiel leaned forward. Inside was a ball of life and potential, a picture of hope and power, a condensed pearl of raw existence and authority. With the physical eye, it was hard to perceive it as anything other than a ball of light, but Makiel recognized it as one of the most valuable objects to ever exist. A Worldseed. Even the Angler scrambled forward to clutch at the box, desperate to put her hands on this jewel of impossible value. With disgust, Makiel realized she probably wouldn’t even use it, just display it to visitors as another part of her gaudy collection. The entire Abidan Court only had three Worldseeds to their name, and it was their fate to be used for true emergencies. There was very little a Worldseed could not do. (Uncrowned, ch 17) </blockquote>

===Iterations===
<b> Iterations, the Way, and Fate</b> (source: Will Wight, online)

Original first-gen worlds can only grow from Worldseeds, but author Will Wight explains how “Iterations” or galaxies — possibly even universes — form from recycled parts, with the [[Abidan]] as stellar gardeners:

As an Iteration gets closer to its intended life span, as fate runs out and it starts to die, it splits up into fragments, which are basically like Territories from Traveler's Gate, and they float around in the void, and they eventually connect to one another based on common threads and ideas and concepts. And then they fuse and they become the seed of a new Iteration, which over time gathers population, and becomes a new Iteration. ([https://abidanarchive.com/events/20/#e1428 Abidan Archive1428])
They don't usually have to do much terraforming. The fragments tend to combine into a single, inhabitable, central planet, and then the Iteration spreads out from there into a full universe. Like a seed growing. When a world is born in this manner, it's not yet tethered to the Way. And therefore not yet bound by Fate. Only when the people show up does the world start to develop a connection to Fate at all. ([https://abidanarchive.com/events/1/#e885 Abidan Archive885])

And the Abidan are like gardeners, they kind of maintain that process ([https://abidanarchive.com/events/20/#e1428 Abidan Archive1428])

===Fruits on the Sentient Vine===
<b> Excerpt from Wight’s Dubious Blog: </b>
<br>
Iteration: Any universe that the [[Abidan]] recognize as capable of sustaining human existence and living out a complete life-cycle. The Iterations are described as fruits that hang from a vine that links them all together; this vine is known as the Way.

Every Iteration has a destined progression. A world is born, it lives out its existence, and then it quietly dies, breaking into fragments. These fragments float through the void, crashing and combining randomly until they form into a new universe.

They are called "Iterations" because the thousands of universes currently in existence are thought to be different versions of the same original world or worlds, spun out in different combinations again and again for eternity. Even the [[Abidan|Abidan Judges]] do not know when this cycle began.

On its own, an Iteration should exist for billions of years, except for a certain underlying requirement: each Iteration is anchored to the Way by sentient consciousness. As long as humans📍 are around, the world is tethered to the natural law and order of the Way. The fewer humans there are, the looser that connection becomes.

When humanity dies, the world dissolves.

📍The Abidan definition of "human" is pretty loose, but never too far removed from the humanity we know. (Source — [https://www.willwight.com/a-blog-of-dubious-intent/cradle-world-the-abidan-part-1 Excerpted from Will Wight’s blog])

===Iterations Index===
There are thousands of Iterations.
<blockquote> Important worlds like Cradle, Haven, Sanctum, and Asylum would be protected. Even in the event of total system collapse, the Abidan would collect and quarantine these worlds, their last bastion against the infinite chaos. But in times like this, anything could go wrong. Cradle might be safer than anywhere else, but it wasn’t safe. (Unsouled, epilogue)</blockquote>

<b> Iterations listed in alpha order by name, if known: </b>

*Amalgam
*Asylum Sector 21? — Setting for [[Elder Empire]] Trilogy. Prison for [[Elders| Elders/Class 1 Fiends]]
*Commandment #246 — attacked by [[Vroshir]] <blockquote>Around the planet, war raged. Vroshir defended their ships’ retreat with protective workings, barriers, guardian beasts the size of moons, and shields that could block exploding stars. . .Color-swirling portals bloomed in front of the ships as they prepared to leave through the Void. (Bloodline, prologue)</blockquote>
*[[Cradle Locations|Cradle]] #110 — Birthplace of founding [[Abidan]] and later, of [[Ozmanthus Arelius]]
*Fathom #119 — War between seven [[Abidan]] Judges and the [[Vroshir]], led by Mad King. (Reaper, ch 14)
*Harrow #217 — Destroyed, collided with Limit. All survivors quarantined on Scour
*[[Haven]] #002 — Abidan vault, where [[Vroshir]] Angler stole [[Makiel]]’s cache of scythes. Also, where Duraman [[Vroshir#The Mad King|The Mad King]] was imprisoned and escaped. (Bloodline, ch 5)
*Jester #247 — attacked by [[Vroshir]] Silverlords
*Jubilee
*Limit #216 — Where [[Ozriel]] was last seen when he stopped the [[Vroshir|The Mad King]]’s attack, and took away his most-treasured construct. (Bloodline chapter 8). Limit collided with Harrow.
*Oasis #129 — 200 years after Ozriel took away his construct, the Mad King destroyed Oasis with a scythe forged from [[Makiel]]’s scythes (Bloodline, ch 8 and 20)
*Obelisk
*Outpost #01 - aka [[Oversight]]. Headquarters of [[Makiel|Makiel’s First Division: the Hounds]]
*[[Sanctum]] #001 - Headquarters of the [[Abidan]] organization, except for [[Makiel]]’s HQ
*Scour #213 — Quarantine area for Harrow and Limit survivors
*Solitude
*943 (nameless) — wiped away by the Mad King’s scythe (Underlord epilogue)
*986 Iteration #986 (nameless) — Where [[Pariana of the Titans]] saw [[Suriel]] defeat four [[Vroshir]](Underlord prologue)

===Iterations Destroyed===
Recently, with [[Ozriel]] the Reaper nowhere to be found, entire galaxies are lost to the Void when the [[Vroshir]] attack.<blockquote> The longer the battle raged, the less stable the Iteration became. Stars winked out from the distant stretches of the universe, galaxies collapsing and fading to nothing, crumbling into the Void. Gravity and reality held less sway, dreams became real, people vanished as though they never existed. (Bloodline ch 18)</blockquote>

The [[Vroshir]], with the Mad King and his Fiend reaping away, destroyed thousands of worlds:
<blockquote>From ten thousand worlds before Ozriel’s departure, they would be reduced to.. . a hundred, perhaps. Even her Presence couldn’t speculate on the total number of lives that would be lost. At least those taken by the Vroshir would survive, but the Mad King and his allies would capture only those who could benefit them in some way. Most would perish. And some of the worlds they lost would be vital ones. (Bloodline ch 20)</blockquote>

==Sectors==
The entirety of The Way, as known by the Abidan, is divided into sectors. A sector contains up to 10 iterations, and each iteration usually has one inhabited world. The magic systems within a sector may work in similar ways, with unique differences.

==='''Sector 11'''===
Sector 11 spans across all three series of books created by author Will Wight. It is considered one of the most important sectors.

Iteration-110: Cradle is a huge planet. It is the setting for the [[Cradle|Cradle Series]]. Additionally, it is the birth place of the Reaper of the Abidan, [[Ozriel]] (nee [[Ozmanthus Arelius|Ozmanthus]]). Cradle is also the birthplace of the original founding members of the [[Abidan]] organization, who built the [[Labyrinth]]

Amalgam is the setting of the [[Traveler's Gate]] Series.

Iteration-112: [[Asylum]] is the setting of the [[Elder Empire]] series.

==='''Sector 13'''===
Birth place of current Phoenix of the Abidan, Judge [[Suriel]]

==='''Sector 21'''===
Iteration-217 : Harrow is destroyed upon collision with Iteration-216 : Limit. It was initially scheduled for demolition but [[Ozriel|Ozriel the Reaper]] and his scythe are missing. The infected of the disaster were quarantined to Iteration-213 : Scour.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Willverse}}

{{Books}}

[[Category:Cradle]][[Category:Elder Empire]][[Category:Cradle Locations]] [[Category:Iterations]]

Abidan

2022-04-19T23:44:37Z

Nxcts: /* The Court of Seven */

{{Cradle NavBox}}

==Abidan Organization==

The Abidan are an organization that governs the [[The Way and The Worlds|Iterations]], ensuring order among the worlds. Their job is to ensure the Iterations do not deviate too greatly from their natural progression. They protect worlds / Iterations from the enemy [[Vroshir]] and other outside interference. They quarantine worlds when it is time for collapse. The Abidan is an organization with seven divisions; each division is governed by a Judge. The Judges are also referred to as the Court Of Seven, or simply the Abidan. The Abidan are very powerful and their artifacts are coveted across all of [[The Way and The Worlds| the Way]], and some artifacts have been found on Cradle, Iteration 110. Abidan strength is possibly due partly to the Eledari Pact, discussed below, which allows them great control when manipulating the Way. The common troops of the Abidan can be compared in strength to the Monarchs of Cradle.

The Abidan is composed of some seven or eight Judges and legions of supportive lesser Abidan. They are a force for order, not chaos, aligned with the Way. The Way is fundamentally a force of protection, a barrier against chaos and destruction.
<br> <b> [https://www.reddit.com/r/Iteration110Cradle/comments/kppjj0/suriel_the_phoenix_sixth_judge_of_the_abidan/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf Image, Suriel, Abidan Judge, by @sh_aye_] </b> @sh_ aye_

===History, Three Generations===
The current Court of Seven Judges is the third panel of Abidan to maintain the Worlds. The original founding Abidan served thousands of years ago — perhaps 20,000 years, some readers have textimated. There are seven Abidan Judges in the Court of Seven, plus [[Ozriel]] the Reaper, 008. <br>

Judges are mighty powerful, but they can die. They can be killed, for example, by a Class One Fiend of Chaos, like Oth’kimeth, the Conqueror:
<blockquote>The Mad King hosts an entity that has killed Judges before. . . he represents a Class One threat.(Blackflame ch 21)</blockquote>
1. The first group of Judges ascended from Cradle aeons ago, some time after they built the [[Labyrinth]]. Guided by the original Makiel, they created the Eledari Pact (see below). All Abidan are sworn to uphold the Eledari Pact. However, the non-interference clause is problematic. Apparently, for some as yet unstated reason, the first generation Abidan were killed? The books say little, though:<blockquote>He held the Sword of Makiel in both hands. The massive two-handed blade had once been used to pass capital punishment on the first generation of Abidan. (Bloodline ch 18)</blockquote>
2. The second group of Judges set up the Executor Program, which failed. (more info below)<br>
3. This third, current Court of Seven Judges initiated the growth of thousands of new Iterations, because they had finally found a Reaper who could erase all fragments of chaos and corruption, if and when the world finally died. These individual Judges are not united, cohesive, or even collaborative, based on dialogue between Suriel and her Presence: <blockquote> “What are my odds of getting two other Judges to work with me against the Vroshir directly?”
[Not high.] (Reaper, ch 2)</blockquote> <br>

==The Court of Seven==
The [[Abidan|Abidan Court of Seven]] was created with the founding of the Eledari Pact (see section on this page). The responsibilities of the Eledari Pact are divided between the seven, and their positions are named to reflect those duties. There are seven Judges in the current 3rd-generation Court of Seven, plus Ozriel the Reaper. Before they rose to the level of Judge, they typically served in a support capacity in an Abidan subdivision, learning from a master, eventually from the sitting Judge. If one of the Judges ever reaches their end, either through a desire to retire or through death in combat, a replacement is selected. Such a replacement takes up the mantle and authority of that Judge, going by that name for the duration of their service as a Judge.

The Abidan Judges are tremendously powerful. However, they are not perfectly benevolent — some are self-centered. They come in a variety of humanoid forms, from a variety of worlds, with a variety of personality quirks. Yet compared to the world-killing [[Vroshir]], they are saints.

Every Judge wears a white mantle, passed down from generation to generation, except Ozriel, whose mantle is black. They all carry a unique and amazing personal weapon. They all have an intelligence, called a Presence. Each judge has a major connection to the Way, a connection to some fundamental aspect of reality. They all have a source of personal power, apart from the Way, and they have a great deal of Will.

The [[Abidan|Abidan Court]] is the most powerful court in the “land” and the seven Judges have ultimate authority over life, death, imprisonment, the termination of entire worlds and Iterations, etc etc.

===Seven Divisions===
These names refer to the division, with the naming protocol dating back to the founding of the Abidan Court, long long ago.
#Makiel, The Hound: Pillar of Fate - tap into the Way to read the past and the future, and to deal with any deviations that may jeopardize one or more worlds
#Gadrael, the Titan: Pillar of Protection - the defenders of the Abidan worlds, raising shields and barriers against creatures of chaos and against the enemies of the Court
#Durandiel, the Ghost : Pillar of Will (Conscious Will) - shepherding the birth of new worlds and defending old ones from the chaos of the void
#Telariel, the Spider: Pillar of Awareness (Communication) - maintain the system of Sector Control, through which Iterations are divided into sectors in order to make them easier to manage. Also, Inter-universal communication between Abidan.
#Razael, the Wolf: Pillar of Unstoppable Force (Warrior, Destruction) - As Gadrael is the Court's shield, Razael is their sword, an unstoppable force, the heavy artillery unleashed against the greatest of the Abidan's enemies. (Pre-Ozriel, it fell to the office of Razael to destroy worlds as completely as possible.)
#Suriel, the Phoenix: Pillar of Restoration, Healing and Order (the Way) - can use the Way to return order to a system, restoring it to prime condition. Phoenixes are used as mechanics and engineers as often as healers, and are prized on any battlefield. They are also very durable.
#Zakariel, the Fox: Pillar of Spatial Travel, tunneling into the Way as a shortcut through space - the heralds, scouts, and couriers of the Abidan.

===Legendary Adriel===
[[Adriel| Adriel, the Creator]]: Pillar of Creation - design and create Iterations out of whole cloth. With his legendary hammer, he forged new worlds, introducing fresh pieces into the cycle of existence. (Adriel is not explicit in the books and is possibly a myth)
<blockquote>Adriel, the Creator: The first seven Judges inherited their power and titles. Only Ozriel and Adriel are the exceptions: Ozriel because there has never been a Reaper before him, and Adriel because there has never been a Creator since.Adriel is a myth to the modern Abidan. Some of their oldest records posit his existence, but he vanished before the Eledari Pact was signed. The strongest pieces of evidence for his existence are indirect references left behind by the first Abidan Court.The Judges can defend, maintain, and alter Iterations. They can combine fragments into new worlds.But only one person could, according to legend, design and create Iterations out of whole cloth: Adriel. He created new worlds, introducing fresh pieces into the cycle of existence.His weapon, the Hammer of Adriel, is sometimes used by the Abidan as a symbol of creation. ([https://abidanarchive.com/events/2/#e36 Will Wight, Abidan Archive e36])</blockquote>

==Current Judges==
This 3rd-generation Court of Seven is not united, cohesive, or even collaborative, based on dialogue between Suriel and her Presence: <blockquote> “What are my odds of getting two other Judges to work with me against the Vroshir directly?” Suriel asked.<br>
[Not high.]. . . [It is a shame that those who rise to become Judges tend to be unusually individualistic,] her Presence continued. [Forceful. Difficult to persuade, even with objective facts.] (Reaper, ch 2)</blockquote>
<blockquote> Telariel, the Spider, wouldn’t risk his own life even in the event of total system collapse.. . Zakariel, the Fox, was more selfish even than Telariel. She had a lot in common with the Angler of the Crystal Halls, and each considered the other something of a rival. If it didn’t benefit her directly, she usually didn’t do it. . . (Reaper ch 2)</blockquote>
*[[Makiel|Makiel, the Hound - 001]] future sight, supervise fate
*[[Gadrael|Gadrael, the Titan - 002]] defense
*[[Durandiel|Durandiel, the Ghost - 003]] unmaking techniques, spatial control, guiding new Iterations together
*[[Telariel|Telariel, the Spider - 004]] communication and detection
*[[Razael|Razael, the Wolf - 005]] attack
*[[Suriel|Suriel, the Phoenix - 006]] healing and restoration
*[[Zakariel|Zakariel, the Fox - 007]] transportation
Additionally<br>
*[[Ozriel|Ozriel, the Reaper - 008]] ultimate termination, destruction, but has abilities on par or better with all the other divisional judges, except Suriel of the Phoenix division
===Lesser Abidan===
Not judges, but supporting members
*[[Pariana of the Titans]]
*[[Kiuran of the Hounds]]

==Abidan Purpose==
The Judges and their support forces access the serene blue Way, white-armored legions fulfilling their purpose: taking care of the numerous Iterations that make up [[The Way and The Worlds]]. They cannot create new Worlds from whole cloth, but they can help stitch Iterations together from fragments of dead worlds. They would need a valuable and rare Worldseed to create a brand new world, and they only have three left (Uncrowned, ch 17).

Each division of the Abidan has a different job description. The responsibilities of the Phoenix Division are varied, including healing and restoration, and protecting the weak, within the bounds of non-interference with fate.<blockquote> Suriel thought. This was the sort of person the Abidan were created to save: the weak who stood against the strong. The sort of person the Phoenix was meant to save. The sort of person who might, with a little outside help, even reach beyond their fate. (Unsouled, ch 11)</blockquote>

The Abidan also uphold the tenets of the Eledari Pact across the cosmos, and battle cosmic supervillains, including the [[Vroshir]], etc.
*<b>See article about [[The Way and The Worlds|The Way, The Void, The Worlds]] </b>

==Abidan Headquarters==
HQ is located on [[Sanctum]], Iteration #001. This is where the vast numbers of Abidan forces are based, where they work and where they live when not called away.
<br>However, [[Makiel|Makiel’s First Division: the Hounds]] moved to Outpost #01, aka [[Oversight]], to improve on their ability to observe Fate.

==The Eledari Pact==
An ancient agreement between the original Founders of the Abidan — all of them originally ascended from Iteration #110, Cradle. This pact both increases and restricts the powers of the Abidan. It is the tool that allows the Abidan Judges to control the power of the Way as they do. There are many rules in the Eledari Pact, but the most relevant one is the Abidan cannot use their powers to prevent the natural progression of an Iteration. If an Iteration, or World, is destined to die, then that’s a matter of fate. “Everything ends.”

The Eledari Pact was first conceived of by the original, first generation Makiel, Hound of Fate, thousands of years ago. <blockquote> Makiel is something of a leader among the seven Judges, though the Eledari Pact technically gives him no authority over his peers. This is a tradition continued from the original Makiel, who first realized the need for such a pact and organized its creation. (-[https://www.willwight.com/a-blog-of-dubious-intent/cradle-world-the-abidan-part-2 Excerpt Makiel, Will Wight’s blog])</blockquote>

===Executor Program & Eledari Pact===
The former panel of seven Abidan Judges created the Executor Program to work around the most upsetting clause of the Eledari Pact, non-interference. The Executor Program failed abysmally, as Duruman, [[Vroshir|The Mad King]], will testify:
<blockquote> Daruman was chosen by the second Court of Seven to be among the first of what they were to call their Executors. He was an agent of the Abidan, but un-bound to the Eledari Pact, so he was not prevented from interfering in Fate. He and his four peers were sent to dying worlds, to defeat the threat from the inside and prolong the existence of the Iterations as long as possible. At first, the experiment was declared a success. . . . By this point, trust in the Executors was nonexistent. A second generation had already been appointed, but these had been raised from birth by the Abidan themselves, designed to be perfectly competent and loyal. Daruman was already considered a relic of an embarrassing past. (Bloodline ch 5)</blockquote>
The second group of hand-raised and loyal Executors failed, too, and the program was discontinued. So, as it stands, the Abidan, according to the Pact, cannot stop a global war from claiming billions of lives and destroying a planet,<b> unless that war was started by outside forces or by a significant subversion of fate.</b> Abidan representatives only descend to correct a deviation of fate, though they're granted a certain freedom of action in doing so. This law exists both to preserve the natural balance of existence and to prevent the Abidan or other powers from settling down in lesser worlds and ruling like gods.

For example, Judge [[Suriel]] the Phoenix descended to [[Sacred Valley]] to arrest the ascended Grand Patriarch [[Li Markuth]], who returned to rule as king. His crime: spatial violation and attempted domination of local inhabitants. <blockquote> ''“Li Markuth was not permitted to return to this world. His attack was a deviation from fate, which I have reversed. When I depart, it will be as though your festival continued uninterrupted.” ''(Unsouled, ch 11)</blockquote>

==Enemies==
*Members of the [[Vroshir]], a cosmic criminal organization, are relentless against Abidan order.
*[[Vroshir#The Mad King|The Mad King]] in particular absolutely hates the judges and their Eledari Pact. He considers the Abidan to be criminals themselves, and tyrants.
*Class-One Fiends are another threat to the Abidan, but there are only a limited number of them, and they are imprisoned on Asylum. Right?
*The Abidan Court of Seven itself seems to be splintering from within. Perhaps the judges are their own worst enemy. Certainly, [[Makiel]] is not supportive of [[Ozriel]], for one example.
<br><b>Detailed info on enemies at [[Vroshir]]</b>

==Key Iterations==
The Abidan oversee thousands of Iterations, or worlds, more fully listed and detailed at [[The Way and The Worlds]], but some Iterations are central to the Abidan and to the Cradle series. <blockquote> Important worlds like Cradle, Haven, Sanctum, and Asylum would be protected. Even in the event of total system collapse, the Abidan would collect and quarantine these worlds, their last bastion against the infinite chaos. But in times like this, anything could go wrong. Cradle might be safer than anywhere else, but it wasn’t safe. (Unsouled, epilogue)</blockquote>
*[[Cradle Locations|Cradle]] #110 — Birthplace of founding [[Abidan]] and later, of [[Ozmanthus Arelius]], who became [[Ozriel]], the Reaper of the Abidan, 008
*Limit #216 — Where [[Ozriel]] was last seen when he stopped the [[Vroshir|The Mad King]]’s attack 200 years ago (Bloodline, ch 8)
*Outpost #01 - aka [[Oversight]]. Headquarters of [[Makiel|Makiel’s First Division: the Hounds]]
*[[Sanctum]] #001 - Headquarters of the [[Abidan]] organization, except for [[Makiel]]’s HQ
*Haven #002 — Where Mad King was imprisoned and where the Abidan keep their treasures in a secure vault (but Oz keeps his in the deepest Void)
<br><b>All Iterations are listed and detailed at [[The Way and The Worlds]]</b>

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[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Cradle Characters]]
[[Category:Abidan]]

Eledari Pact

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#REDIRECT [[Abidan#The Eledari Pact]]

Chryleia

2022-04-18T05:16:13Z

Nxcts:

{{Cradle NavBox}}

'''Chryleia''' is a [[Herald (Advancement)|Herald]] who is affiliated with [[Emriss Silentborn]]. She is presumably very skilled at refining, as Emriss has her create a restorative pill for [[Ziel]] as one of his prizes in the [[18th Uncrowned King Tournament]].{{book ref|c7|18}}

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[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Cradle Characters]]

Soulfire

2022-04-13T06:07:39Z

Nxcts: Created page with "{{Cradle NavBox}} '''Soulfire''' is a form of condensed vital aura associated with the Lord realm of the sacred arts on Cradle.{{book ref|c3|18}} == Creation..."

Wintersteel (material)

2022-04-13T06:04:24Z

Nxcts:

{{Cradle NavBox}}

'''Wintersteel''' is a metal on [[Cradle]].

Wintersteel can form in the ground when sword [[madra]] and [[Vital aura|earth aura]] interact in a certain way; a Forger technique by the [[Min Shuei|Winter Sage]] caused this to happen in [[Sky's Edge]], making it one of the few places within [[Akura Family|Akura]] territory where wintersteel can be mined.{{book ref|c8|8}}

When made into a blade, it feels like a combination of ice and sword madra to spiritual senses.{{book ref|c7|9}}

== Notable objects ==

* The [[Sage of the Endless Sword]] carries a wintersteel-plated badge when he goes into [[Sacred Valley]], since wintersteel is historically the symbol of a true [[Sage (Advancement)|Sage]].{{book ref|c8|prologue}}
* The Winter Sage makes a wintersteel sword for the Sage of the Endless Sword;{{book ref|c8|prologue}} Yerin takes up the sword after his death.{{book ref|c1|20}}
* [[Eithan]] makes a wintersteel badge for [[Lindon]] after the latter manifests the Void Icon.{{book ref|c8|27}}
* [[Penance]] is made out of wintersteel.{{book ref|c10|13}}

== References ==
<references />

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[[Category:Cradle]]

Vital aura

2022-04-13T06:02:42Z

Nxcts: Nxcts moved page Vital Aura to Vital aura

{{Cradle NavBox}}

In the world of Cradle, vital aura gathers around the elements it belongs to; for instance, stone aura gathers around stone, and water aura gathers around water. The more of an element that is present, the more aura gathers there. Slowly, and at different speed for different elements, the elements themselves will start to gather the aura, and if left undisturbed for long enough, these veins of vital aura are refined into a higher state. Pools of water will turn into sacred pools, which are often used to refine elixirs, and Titan's Bone, which comes from stone, is almost unbreakable.

==aura into madra==
Madra comes from vital aura in the environment. Madra is spiritual energy. Sacred artists use madra throughout their lives.

<br>A baby is born with [[Pure Madra|pure madra]]. A infant’s life aura, blood aura, and dream aura are converted into pure madra. This occurs at birth and during early childhood, but as vital aura is gathered from the environment and integrated into the core, the core takes on the aspects of that aura, and the corresponding madra is produced instead. For example, [[Orthos]] and [[Lindon]] can cycle destruction aspects of aura and fire aspects of aura from the environment, if fires are burning somewhere, and convert it into the madra aspect that fuels the [[Path of Black Flame]].

Once cultivated, madra can be used to fuel and empower a multitude of techniques as well as one's own body. As sacred artists advance, their madra becomes more potent and more dense, allowing them to do more with less. See [[Advancement Level]] for indications of how much madra is required per level.

==the core==
The core resides in the center of one's spirit, placed just below the navel. Madra channels loop throughout the body, to and from the core. Replenishing and expanding the madra pool of a core is done through cycling, drawing in vital aura of the same aspect, or through the use of elixirs and pills.

*see also [[Madra]] for a list of aspects, and see [[Sacred Arts]] for how all this magic works together

==Hunger Aura==
Hunger aura is different. It’s not a natural phenomenon. It’s not a vital aura. According to [[Subject One]], <blockquote> "Hunger aura is not a natural force. It is a corruption of the natural order of Cradle. A manifestation of ambition, of selfish desire, created by the presence of Monarchs.” It corrupts. Long ago, before intervention, “hunger aura drifted all over the world, and where it moved, all other aura weakened. It corrupted everything; Remnants, natural spirits, sacred beasts. Even humans...When your body and your spirit have both grown too great for this world to contain, you must escape to a place that can contain you.” (Reaper, ch 21)</blockquote>

But hunger aura is converted into hunger madra. See [[Subject One]], who is called The Father of Hunger Madra.

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[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Sacred Arts]]

Vital Aura

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#REDIRECT [[Vital aura]]

Halfsilver

2022-04-11T20:55:01Z

Nxcts:

{{Cradle NavBox}}

'''Halfsilver''' is a metal on [[Cradle]].

Halfsilver looks like mundane silver with the addition of glittering sparks that look like stars. It is physically more brittle than silver, but it inherently disrupts madra around it, making it useful for many purposes.{{book ref|c1|14}} Sword aura resonance techniques work poorly with halfsilver weapons, presumably due to these disruptive properties.{{book ref|c1|18}}

Halfsilver is mined in [[Sacred Valley]] on [[Mount Venture]] by the [[Kazan clan]] and [[Golden Sword School]];{{book ref|c1|12}} it is unusually common in the valley{{book ref|c8|prologue}} and considered more valuable outside it.{{book ref|c2|7}}{{book ref|c3|1}}

The Lesser Treasure Hall of the [[Heaven's Glory School]] contains a number of halfsilver weapons, as well as at least one parasite ring.{{book ref|c1|14}} [[Lindon]] takes the ring and a dagger on his way through the school.{{book ref|c1|18}}

== Uses ==

* [[Parasite ring]]s are made of [[Scripts|scripted]] halfsilver.{{book ref|c1|4}}{{book ref|c1|14}}
* Some weapons and shields, especially in Sacred Valley, contain halfsilver; while some are made entirely out of halfsilver, others contain it in combination with other materials to counteract its physical weakness.{{book ref|c1|14}}{{book ref|c5|10}}{{book ref|c9|6}}{{book ref|c9|11}}{{book ref|c9|14}}
* The Kazan clan uses halfsilver and goldsteel in their static defenses to disrupt magical attacks.{{book ref|c9|9}}
* Cuffs or chains made out of halfsilver make it harder for the wearer to use madra; they are typically used on prisoners.{{book ref|c4|1}}{{book ref|c4|13}}{{book ref|c5|1}}{{book ref|c9|2}}{{book ref|c9|9}} Similarly, halfsilver is incorporated into high-security prison cells.{{book ref|c4|3}}
* Halfsilver is used as currency in Sacred Valley in the form of small rectangles known as "chips".{{book ref|c2|7}}
* Halfsilver is used in many [[Soulsmithing]] tools, such as tongs.{{book ref|c1|14}}{{book ref|c3|1}}
* In the traditional badge system, halfsilver represents the [[Advancement Level#The Lord Realm|Lord realm]].{{book ref|c7|7}}

== References ==

<references />

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[[Category:Cradle]]

Parasite Ring

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#REDIRECT [[Parasite ring]]

Parasite ring

2022-04-11T19:08:02Z

Nxcts: Created page with "{{Cradle NavBox}} {{Stub}} A '''parasite ring''' is a tool used to increase the effectiveness of cycling. Made from a scripted band of halfsilver, the ring raises the..."

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{{Stub}}

A '''parasite ring''' is a tool used to increase the effectiveness of [[cycling]]. Made from a scripted band of [[halfsilver]], the ring raises the difficulty of cycling, but improves the quality of [[madra]], making it a useful item for advancement prior to [[Underlord (Advancement)|Underlord]].

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[[Category:Cradle]]

Half-Silver

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#REDIRECT [[Halfsilver]]

Halfsilver

2022-04-11T18:54:27Z

Nxcts: Created page with "{{Cradle NavBox}} {{Stub}} '''Halfsilver''' is a semi-precious metal on Cradle. As its name implies, it is bright silver in color, and is both harder and more brittle th..."

{{Cradle NavBox}}
{{Stub}}

'''Halfsilver''' is a semi-precious metal on [[Cradle]].

As its name implies, it is bright silver in color, and is both harder and more brittle than ordinary silver. Halfsilver has madra disrupting properties, to the effect that direct proximity can make cycling difficult, and closed loops, (eg. chains or cuffs) can hobble the spirit. Typical usage involves mixing flecks of halfsilver with another stronger material, and is often used in weapons or Soulsmithing instruments.

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]

Wintersteel (material)

2022-04-11T05:56:20Z

Nxcts:

{{Cradle NavBox}}

'''Wintersteel''' is a metal on [[Cradle]].

Wintersteel can form in the ground when sword [[madra]] and [[Vital Aura|earth aura]] interact in a certain way; a Forger technique by the [[Min Shuei|Winter Sage]] caused this to happen in [[Sky's Edge]], making it one of the few places within [[Akura Family|Akura]] territory where wintersteel can be mined.{{book ref|c8|8}}

When made into a blade, it feels like a combination of ice and sword madra to spiritual senses.{{book ref|c7|9}}

== Notable objects ==

* The [[Sage of the Endless Sword]] carries a wintersteel-plated badge when he goes into [[Sacred Valley]], since wintersteel is historically the symbol of a true [[Sage (Advancement)|Sage]].{{book ref|c8|prologue}}
* The Winter Sage makes a wintersteel sword for the Sage of the Endless Sword;{{book ref|c8|prologue}} Yerin takes up the sword after his death.{{book ref|c1|20}}
* [[Eithan]] makes a wintersteel badge for [[Lindon]] after the latter manifests the Void Icon.{{book ref|c8|27}}
* [[Penance]] is made out of wintersteel.{{book ref|c10|13}}

== References ==
<references />

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]

Wintersteel (material)

2022-04-11T05:54:57Z

Nxcts: Created page with "{{Cradle NavBox}} '''Wintersteel''' is a metal on Cradle. Wintersteel can form in the ground when sword madra and earth aura interact in a certain way..."

Summary:Reaper

2022-04-07T02:01:02Z

Nxcts: Created page with "{{Cradle NavBox}} {{stub}} This page contains a chapter by chapter summary of '''''Reaper''''', book ten in the Cradle series. <div style="float:right; paddi..."

{{Cradle NavBox}}

{{stub}}

This page contains a chapter by chapter summary of '''''[[Reaper]]''''', book ten in the [[Cradle|Cradle series]].

<div style="float:right; padding-left:1em">__TOC__</div>

== Prologue ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 1 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 2 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 3 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 4 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 5 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 6 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 7 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 8 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 9 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 10 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 11 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 12 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 13 ==
;Characters
<div style="column-count:3">
</div>

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== Chapter 14 ==
;Characters
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;Plot Summary

== Chapter 15 ==
;Characters
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;Plot Summary

== Chapter 16 ==
;Characters
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</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 17 ==
;Characters
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</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 18 ==
;Characters
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</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 19 ==
;Characters
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</div>

;Plot Summary

== Chapter 20 ==
;Characters
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;Plot Summary

== Chapter 21 ==
;Characters
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;Plot Summary

== Chapter 22 ==
;Characters
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;Plot Summary

== Chapter 23 ==
;Characters
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;Plot Summary

== Chapter 24 ==
;Characters
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;Plot Summary

== Chapter 25 ==
;Characters
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;Plot Summary

== Chapter 26 ==
;Characters
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;Plot Summary

{{Books}}

[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Summary]]

Steelborn Iron body

2022-04-07T01:12:22Z

Nxcts:

{{Cradle NavBox}}

The '''Steelborn Iron body''' is an [[Iron body]] focused on strength, used by [[Yerin Arelius]] and her master the [[Sage of the Endless Sword]].{{book ref|c2|15}} [[Yerin Arelius#Yerin-Ruby|Ruby]] also gains the ability to use the Steelborn body to an extent, though it is weaker because she doesn't have a real body.{{book ref|c8|16}} The Steelborn body allows its user to channel their [[madra]] into it to improve their physical power.{{book ref|c3|19}} Yerin describes it as being "the best Iron body in the world for pure brute strength" on advancement to the [[Sacred Arts#The Lord Realm|Lord realm]], though it is relatively weak before that.{{book ref|c2|15}} The Path of the Endless Sword does not have a very good full-body Enforcer technique, making the Steelborn body a good choice to cover for its weaknesses.{{book ref|c5|3}}

It is attained by being submerged underwater, breathing through a reed, for some time prior to [[Sacred Arts#Advancement in the Sacred Arts|advancement]]. Like other Iron bodies, the longer the ritual is undergone, the greater its effects will be for the user; Yerin spent three days and three nights in a pool in preparation for advancement.{{book ref|c2|15}}

== Notable Users ==
* [[Yerin Arelius]]
* [[Sage of the Endless Sword]]

== References ==
<references />

{{Books}}
[[Category:Cradle]]
[[Category:Iron_bodies]]

Template:Wow ref

2022-04-07T00:57:04Z

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Path of the Hollow King

2022-04-06T03:48:45Z

Nxcts: Clean up techniques, use new references

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Path of the Hollow King}}
{{Cradle NavBox}}

The '''Path of the Hollow King''' is the [[Paths|Path]] that [[Eithan Arelius]] follows.{{book ref|c8|3}} Its only [[madra]] aspect is [[Pure Madra|pure]], and it specifically emphasizies the Seven Principles property of pure madra called Emptiness.{{book ref|c8|8}}

== Techniques ==

=== Striker ===
* '''Hollow King's Mantle''': Projects a whirlpool of tightly packed madra, which can be used to intercept and redirect techniques back at the attacker.{{book ref|c8|3}}
* '''Hollow King's Spear''' (or '''Hollow Spear'''): A spear made of condensed pure madra designed to stab a hole through madra-based defenses.{{book ref|c8|3}} At higher levels, it conducts willpower and can destroy the souls of lesser artists,{{book ref|c8|26}} and eventually takes on the form of an actual spear rather than just a beam of madra.{{book ref|c9|18}}
* '''Madra Pulse''': An omni-directional pulse of pure madra that floods the area to wipe out or disrupt enemy techniques.
* '''Madra Bullet''': A highly condensed ball or stream of madra enhanced by soulfire, is capable of destroying techniques, damaging channels, and shattering cores.

=== Enforcer ===
* '''Hollow Armor''' (or '''Hollow King's Armor'''): Projects a layer of pure madra over the user's body, providing strong protection against all madra-based attacks, which are diluted by passing through pure madra,{{book ref|c8|3}} though the technique is not particularly good at Enforcing the body's physical strength.{{book ref|c3|17}} At a sufficiently high level, the madra takes the shape of an actual suit of armor and the protection becomes much more powerful.{{book ref|c8|26}}

=== Forger ===
* '''The Crown of the Hollow King''' (or '''Hollow King's Crown'''): Involves Forging stars of pure madra meant to damage the spirit. It is Eithan's most savage spiritual attack.{{book ref|c8|3}}

=== Ruler ===
Since there is no such thing as pure aura, this Path does not have any Ruler techniques.{{book ref|c4|5}}

== Cycling Techniques ==
* '''Heaven and Earth Purification Wheel''': This cycling technique focuses exclusively on helping the practitioner build up madra capacity over long periods of time,{{book ref|c3|6}} to the point that it is useless for actually replenishing madra.{{book ref|c3|12}} Without this technique Eithan's Path would be impossible, as almost all of his techniques require copious amounts of power to function as they do.

== Iron Body ==
* '''[[Raindrop Iron body]]''' (also see [[Iron body]]): Although not necessarily integral to the Path, it has incredible synergy with the Arelius bloodline senses. The Raindrop body grants incredible reaction speed; as Eithan phrases it, he was born with "eyes faster than his hands", and this body allows him to take advantage of his senses.{{book ref|c2|15}}

== Weapons/Tools ==
* Arelius [[Bloodline Abilities]], and see [[House Arelius]]
** While not directly coming from his Path, Eithan's bloodline senses are heavily integrated into his Path and some of his powers are designed around it.

* [[The Broom]]
* Broom Icon (see [[Icons]] list)

== Prior to Wintersteel ==
Until ''Wintersteel'', Eithan's Path was one of the many mysteries of the series. With it we had seen Eithan regularly do what other Underlords considered impossible, and not just by the meager standards of the Blackflame Empire. That being said, Eithan was also loath to reveal the strength of his techniques, in fact, other than his Enforcer technique Hollow Armor, and general bursts of power, Eithan almost never used his techniques at all. It was only in a rare confrontation with [[Longhook]] where Eithan believed himself to be unobserved that he even used other techniques.

== Notes ==
<references />

[[Category:Paths]]
[[Category:Cradle]]
{{Books}}