Magic
The North Touched
This page details the north-touched mutation, which may be applied to a character with a north-touched slot from the Bits Store.
An ancient practice conducted in secrecy by the Children of Blóm. The ‘North’s Touch’ or North Touched is said to be a beautiful blessing given directly from the Goddess Blóm. This blessing has pretty much been the reason the priest/priestesses that serve Blóm call themselves her ‘children’.
While the process itself is kept a guarded secret from the rest of Dutoria and the rest of the realm, the stories told by priests and priestesses who have already been granted the blessing from the goddess mark the experience as ‘liberating’; as a process that gets you closer with your true self and Blóm.
While the process itself is kept a guarded secret from the rest of Dutoria and the rest of the realm, the stories told by priests and priestesses who have already been granted the blessing from the goddess mark the experience as ‘liberating’; as a process that gets you closer with your true self and Blóm.
Traveling to the Frozen Fields
For the priest/priestess who has served for more than three years and is ready to obtain the blessing, they are directed to travel to the Frozen Fields, an area of barren fields found in the Forest Province’s territory that are always frozen over thanks to the flooding of the Thawing River. While the public is instructed not to travel here thanks to the giant ice caves this phenomenon forms, which house deadly Ice Basilisks that are best not disturbed, the Children of Blóm know that there is more to it than what people are usually told.
Descent into the Cavern of Life
After having faced the usual cold weather that Dutoria has, having crossed the ice bridges to get over the Thawing River, and having made it into the Frozen Fields - one is to drink the ‘life potion’ and hear for Blóm’s call to them. This potion is a special potion only able to be crafted by the oldest Children of Blóm and is only known as the potion that ‘slowly turns their skin colour to a soft purple’. This potion, however, has no bearing on the process at all and is only used so that priests can hear Blóm’s call and descent into the ‘Cavern of Life’.
The Cavern of Life is among the many giant caverns that can be found in the deepest parts of the ice caves found in the Frozen Fields. The trip down after finding the source of Blóm’s call has been marked to sometimes feel like it takes days sometimes even a week. Bringing extra food and using the melting walls of ice is always advised during this point of the process.
After some time, one will find the Cavern of Life and will be greeted by a surprising figure - the Goddess Blóm herself, in all her radiance.
The Cavern of Life is among the many giant caverns that can be found in the deepest parts of the ice caves found in the Frozen Fields. The trip down after finding the source of Blóm’s call has been marked to sometimes feel like it takes days sometimes even a week. Bringing extra food and using the melting walls of ice is always advised during this point of the process.
After some time, one will find the Cavern of Life and will be greeted by a surprising figure - the Goddess Blóm herself, in all her radiance.
Life inside the Cavern
Those who have experienced the blessing always marked the cavern to be such a beautiful, alluring place. Filled with delicious fruits, mysterious plants that don’t even seem to be ones that are recorded in the realm, and even animals such as the powerful Frostwings can be found down here.
While living in the cavern, one is always accompanied by Blóm and always has the opportunity to seek her guidance at any time they need. While also being able to convene with Blóm, one is sometimes able to channel their spiritual strength and call upon old ancestors who have already passed into Blóm’s realm. However, remembering these memories of lost loved ones can be a bit tricky but as long as one convene with Blóm before their departure, she might be able to help one strengthen their connection with those memories.
While living in the cavern, one is always accompanied by Blóm and always has the opportunity to seek her guidance at any time they need. While also being able to convene with Blóm, one is sometimes able to channel their spiritual strength and call upon old ancestors who have already passed into Blóm’s realm. However, remembering these memories of lost loved ones can be a bit tricky but as long as one convene with Blóm before their departure, she might be able to help one strengthen their connection with those memories.
The Trials of the North
The most important and most crucial part of the blessing - the ‘Trials of the North’ are mental and spiritual ‘tests’ that Goddess Blóm gives all those who have ever sought out her blessing. These tests are said to be how Blóm helps one connect one more with their inner self - their ‘true’ self as some put it. These trials are ordered at random and it is remarked that Blóm never reveals what they are beyond which of Her principes they focus on; Life, Transparency, Tranquility, Compassion and Heroism.
Trial of Life
The easiest trial and the trial every priest ends up completing even if they didn’t completely pass the others. Actually, this trial usually ends up getting completed even before Blóm announces there even are trials to go through. This trial is just about admiring and appreciating the life that is going on around you. Those who have successfully completed these trials will ‘The Mark of The North’ - Given flower-like feature; also the infamous soft purple skin or scales that the Children of Blóm are known for. Some even gain flower-pattern tattoos around parts of their bodies.
One can either just complete the trial of life or they could end up completing all of the trials, allowing them to gain every feature the trials may grant.
One can either just complete the trial of life or they could end up completing all of the trials, allowing them to gain every feature the trials may grant.
Trial of Transparency
Said to be the hardest trial, even remarked as ‘unpleasant’ by Blóm herself. One is to travel into the heart of the cavern and seek out Freyer, Blóm’s older brother and the God of Spring and Honesty. After one has found him and has convened with him, one is to relive their entire life before their eyes - with every trauma and every mistake - and come to accept that whatever has happened in their life has passed and that it can no longer hurt them. This trial… has a strong hold on the trial and can be very painful to experience. Those who have successfully completed this trial will be granted ‘The Mark of the Frost’ - this being the alluring but deadly ice-tipped wings of the Frostwings.
Trial of Tranquility
The Trial of Tranquility - The second hardest trial. While situations may vary on the person, there is a common theme with this trial. One is put into a chaotic situation that could turn very deadly if the priest does not act. During this, one is to fix the chaotic problem and remain in a state of peace. One is not to overthink and one is not to think of the worse as all cost. Those who have successfully completed this trial will be granted ‘The Mark of the Serene’ - Given the features of combined a peryton and plantlife. While it is extremely rare, it is possible that one can also gain wings from this trial.
Trials of Compassion & Heroism
While they are separate trials, they are since bonded by the same principle they share - Putting others before yourself. Like the Trial of Tranquility, these situations depend on who the person undergoing them and what situation would suit them best. The common theme among these trials is being tasked with helping one who may have less than you or protecting someone despite who they may be. These can be given by spirits Blóm has called upon for help or it can be given by the various animals that call the cavern their home. Those who have successfully completed this trial will be granted ‘The Mark of the Strong and Bold’ - given the features of a borg or sometimes even tree-like features.
The Ascension
The period of time where the rewards of completing the trials, or the ‘transformation’ takes its place. For just all of those who have done the blessing, this period of time in the cavern feels much like a dream. Their day-to-day memories become very fuzzy and very confusing to the point where most don’t even attempt to make sense of it.
After the ascension has completed and their features are fully grown, the priests take a few more weeks and spend time learning to get used to their new look. Blóm also makes sure to be present during this so that one can always be assured that someone that cares for them is always by their side.
After the ascension has completed and their features are fully grown, the priests take a few more weeks and spend time learning to get used to their new look. Blóm also makes sure to be present during this so that one can always be assured that someone that cares for them is always by their side.
Life as a North Touched / Life after Ascension
The process of the blessing takes on average three months up to close to a full year. After getting used to their new features, the priests wave goodbye to Blóm and depart from the cavern. Alongside leaving with their new blessing, North-Touched gain extended lifespans - usually aging at half the typical rate of their species. On the day they emerge from the cave, there is always a group of high priests and priestesses ready to help them return back into normal life in Dutoria.
As for when they return to the outside world, North-Touched are highly revered and their features are recognized as a blessing of Goddess Blóm by all of Dutoria. They are expected to do just as the Children of Blóm - which will be a role model to all those around them. It is also very common for a North Touched to serve on a Viscount's/Viscountess' council and provide guidance when asked or if they see the need to give their input.
Those who are frequently in the presence of a North-Touched may begin to feel more compassion and selflessness. Even some of the worst individuals may be moved to help or understand others when in the presence of those who have been blessed.
As for when they return to the outside world, North-Touched are highly revered and their features are recognized as a blessing of Goddess Blóm by all of Dutoria. They are expected to do just as the Children of Blóm - which will be a role model to all those around them. It is also very common for a North Touched to serve on a Viscount's/Viscountess' council and provide guidance when asked or if they see the need to give their input.
Those who are frequently in the presence of a North-Touched may begin to feel more compassion and selflessness. Even some of the worst individuals may be moved to help or understand others when in the presence of those who have been blessed.