Ashen Requiem

EVOLUTION AND MASTERY OF POWERS

The Stages of Evolution

The journey of a power wielder is not immediate. It unfolds across four major stages, each marking a step towards deeper understanding and more refined control over their energy.

1. Initial Awakening

Description :

The wielder discovers their energy affinity after an emotional shock, prolonged exposure to meteorites, or an extreme circumstance (fear, rage, deep hope).

At this stage, powers are raw, unstable, and often uncontrollable.

Branches of Awakening :

Path of Rupture

Triggered by trauma or loss. Power manifests in violent bursts.

Traits : explosive abilities, unstable psyche, sleep disruptions.

Path of Revelation

Triggered by a near-death experience or epiphany. The wielder "sees" the flow of energy for the first time.

Traits : intuitive understanding, erratic control, hyper-sensitivity.

Path of Contagion

Triggered by prolonged contact with corrupted or raw meteorite matter.

Traits : mutations, abnormal growths, unpredictable power shifts.

Risk :

• Involuntary manifestations.

• Rapid exhaustion after use.

• High risk of self-injury or harming others.

2. Fundamental Control

Description :

The wielder begins to master the triggering of their abilities. They can voluntarily summon their power, though its strength remains limited.

Branches of Control :

Tactician's Path

Focus on strategy, control, and usage in structured contexts (combat, defense, precision strikes).

Traits : low burst power, high efficiency, low risk of loss of control.

Path of Discipline

Based on rituals, breathing techniques, meditative training.

Traits : slow but stable growth, resistance to feedback, focused mind.

Path of Instinct

Control emerges from experience and repetition rather than theory.

Traits : reaction-based activation, rapid evolution under stress, high emotional sensitivity.

Benefits :

• Improved precision.

• Possible use under mild stress.

• First side effects appear : migraines, energy fevers, crises of doubt.

3. Harmonization

Description :

The power becomes a natural extension of the wielder. Body, mind, and energy start acting in unison.

Branches of Harmonization :

Path of Echoes

The power begins to "speak back" — through visions, voices, or ancestral memories.

Traits : spiritual resonance, risk of dissociation, myth-based abilities.

Path of the Element

The wielder fuses with a natural or abstract domain (flame, shadow, memory, decay…).

Traits : environmental manipulation, domain aura, symbolic mastery.

Path of the Arcane

Emergence of Arcanes, or signature techniques unique to the user.

Traits : custom spells/forms, enhanced senses, combat styles.

Path of Dependency

Energy becomes vital. If severed, the wielder falls into existential collapse.

Traits : physical addiction, need for emotional anchors, dual forms (with and without energy).

Benefits :

• Fluid and instinctive use of power.

4. Sublimination

Description :

Extremely rare, sublimation corresponds to total fusion between the wielder and their power. The energy profoundly alters their body and soul, elevating their abilities to a near-divine level.

Branches of Sublimination :

Path of Incarnation

The energy takes a physical form through the user : horns, wings, halo, etc.

Traits : irreversible changes, partial immortality, divine presence.

Path of Dissolution

The self dissolves into the energy field; the wielder becomes a living current, able to phase, possess, or displace matter.

Traits : unstable form, near-invisibility, great cost to identity.

Path of the Eternal Wound

Power blossoms from trauma permanently inscribed in the body or soul.

Traits : Permanent damage coexisting with power, paradoxical strength through pain.

Path of Judgment

The wielder becomes a living judge — their power now enforces cosmic or ideological law.

Traits : aura of truth, power that punishes imbalance, presence that breaks lies.

Benefits :

• Permanent superhuman abilities.

• Drastic reduction of side effects.

• Physical or spiritual transformations (e.g., glowing eyes, overwhelming presence).

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• Each branch is personal. Two carriers who have reached the same level can have radically different powers, mentalities, and limitations.

• It is possible to change branches within the same stage, but this requires a powerful catalyst event (betrayal, merger, loss of a loved one, etc.).

• Corruption can negatively influence certain developments, creating corrupted sub-branches.

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Means of Evolution

Evolution does not rely solely on time; it demands constant effort, emotional experiences, an specif discipline.

1. Meditation

Principle :

Meditation allows the wielder to probe their own energy flow, learning to circulate and reinforce it without active usage.

Benefits :

• Better internal control.

• Spiritual regeneration.

• Reduced risk of corruption or burnout.

Techniques :

• Rythmic breathing attuned to energy flows.

• Visualization of internal Nexus.

• Immersion in pure-energy places (sanctuaries, stabilized No Man's Lands).

2. Hard Combat

Principle :

Nothing accelerates evolution like danger. Battles force the wielder to surpass their limits and instinctively discover new uses for their power.

Benefits :

• Unlocking latent skills.

• Adaptation to unpredictable situations.

• Increased mental and physical resilience.

Risk :

• Irreversible injuries.

• Loss of control.

3. Intense Emotional Experiences

Principle :

Pain, loss, extreme joy, or rage can trigger emotional surges leading to spectacular evolutions.

Benefits :

• Access to evolved powers in moments of urgency.

• Drastic power boost.

Risk :

• Psychological fractures.

• Risk of falling into corruption for black energy wielders.

5. Fusion with an Artifacts

Principle :

Some wielders merge with a compatible artifact, mutually reinforcing their energies.

Benefits :

• Massive enhancement of basic powers.

• Revelation of new techniques linked to the artifact.

Risk :

• Dependency on the artifact.

• Possible loss of individuality.