The Evolution of Power

(This is a game related post in regards to Mantles, a unique source of personal power within my gaming world.)

Over the ages Mantles have evolved in form and power. As the ages progress, so to do the energy that embodies the mantles. Some sages believe that the mantles are simply growing in accordance with the ages, though new studies into the mantles show that the Mantles themselves have actually changed over the course of the ages. Below are examples and descriptions of the Mantles during the 5 ages.

Age of Creation : The Age of creation was when all form and function in the known multiverse was created by the convergence of the many gods and the new creations of Avania and Crescea. Becaue of the unique nature of creation within Aokdawn every new known thing, concept, emotion, object, race etc released a physical representation known as a mantle. A mantle had no actual control over the object, it simply represented the object as a universal concept. During the age of creation the mantles had no power, as all new concepts creations and objects were still undergoing change, and to morphic to be identified.

1st Age : Mantles were not formally discovered within the first age, though sages believe they were in use, though many believe that those with mantles were simply blessed by the gods. From what information is known about individuals with mantles is that the powers were limited to a single function. A mantle of grass would be able to speak with grass and create it. A mantle of water could likewise control or create water. The mantle itself gave no special power or form to its bearer however, and its for this reason that many believed the mantles were simply manifestations of one of the many gods. It should be noted that because mantles needed the intervention of divine power to connect them to a subject, that most people, including the ones who wore these mantles, strongly believed in there connection to the gods.

2nd Age : As the Ages evolved, so too did the mantles. Priests of Sheshensis formally discovered the mantles, as did yunish priests, though the priests of Sheshensis killed and destroyed most yunish temples and people that learned this secret. Mantles during this age had more form and function than in the first age, and those who obtained mantles and bound them could do more impressive things with there power, though again, this power was somewhat limited to form and function. A fighter with Grass would be able to speak with grass and create it, and perhaps create a blade of grass as a kind of weapon. The evolving power allowed for a more creative, personal take on the mantle, though it still had to be directly represented by the mantle itself.

3rd Age : During the third age the secret of the mantles was finally brought to the worlds attention, and with good reason. Once again as the ages evolved, so to did the mantles. Now identified for what they were, the mantles could be used by just about anyone, though some connection to a gods divinity was still required. During the third age the mantles bound themselves directly into the form and consciousness of the bearer. The power of the mantle shaped itself around the functionality of a character. A wizard with the mantle of grass could manipulate his own magics with the power of the mantle, making powers and effects unheard of by others. A fighter with the same mantle could transport long distances through blades of grass, create powerful weapons and attacks using grass like effects, a rogue with a mantle of grass could blend in perfectly when within a field of grass or greenery. In addition the mantle effected there physical structure, allowing mantles like grass to take on physical aspects, like the ability to gather nutrition from sunlight, or replacing internal organs to allow for more durability. This evolved power was highly sought after in the third age, resulting in the denizens of the world seeking them out, killing others to gain them, and uncovering old ruins in search of them. As the mantles usually manifested near a killed owner a few days after his death, the god Avania declared that the mantles would manifest randomly in the world after a death, limiting a needless loss of life over the sought after power.

4th Age : The fourth age brought a new understanding of the mantles, however, the mantles themselves evolved with the age. As the distinction between god and mortal has been defined, the form and function of mantles has been modified and made even more powerful than ever. As Mantles are a direct connection to the gods, a mantle of power is the only known way to become close to the gods. The mantles still react to the wishes and abilities of the bearer, however the powers are far more reaching, and allow for more manipulation over the core concept of the mantle. Because of the line drawn between mortal and god at the end of the 4th age, a mantle of power needs no special ritual from a priest, as the mantle is the only divine power capable of directly affecting a mortal, aside from artifacts and specific blessings. That being said, the Mantles pose other problems as many of there powers can only be accessed with the acceptance of physical and permanent changes. For example, a god of grass would have extensive powers over grass, and be able to manipulate the laws of reality by utilizing the power of a mantle, however, some personal powers such as increased durability, drawing nutrition from the sun, and other effects could only be gained by manipulating ones own form. This allows for an avenue of even greater power, at the cost of ones own humanity, or whatever race is prominent.  The 4th age promises to be an age of demigod like mortals, though all such mortals have been important in the past ages, and with the dissection of divine power from the mortal coil, such power may be greatly needed.

Thinking outside the Box - It should be noted, that during the age of creation there was many planes of existence that were tied directly to Aokdawn. These planes of existence are accessed only through special high level magics. Although it was not pursued in the 3rd age, many believe that mantles will be sought out in these other planes, as each individual plane went through its own age of creation. Many sages also believe that planar versions of some of these mantles may be more or less powerful than other planar versions. For example, when heat was first generated in the plane of fire it created a mantle. A mantle of heat from the plane of fire, may be far more powerful than a mantle of heat generated from the prime material plane, though its functionality within the plane of fire is quite limited. On that note, when heat was first generated in the plane of water, or cold, it also created a mantle on that plane (as the concepts were slightly different on every plane, hence immunities and resistances of the various races). Although a mantle of heat may work quite differently and be of less actual power from those planes, its far more important in those planes. So that being said, mantles power can change from plane to plane, and planar mantles may be quite different than the ones created on the prime material plane during the age of creation.