Awakened-Lexicon

Lexicon

[b]Awakened[/b]

One who has stepped to the threshold of [i]Transcendence[/i], able to see and manipulate the true essence of reality. Through the mastery of their [i]Pranas[/i] the Awakened are capable of feats of myth and legend, with the most powerful of their kind able to reshape the history of worlds and shake the very pillars of reality through their will alone.

[b]Aspect[/b]

The outward manifestation of an [i]Awakened's[/i] inner nature and power. Some take on a glorious appearance with eyes that crackle and flash with energy. Others take on a cold pallor reminicent of the Void itself. Most however manifest portions of the four classical greek elements: Air, Earth, Fire and Water.

[b]Art[/b]

A specific technique used by an Awakened in applying Prana to affect the world around them. Although sometimes passed down from teacher to student, most Arts are unique to each Awakened practitioner.

[b]Conditioned, The[/b]

One raised and instructed according to the strict teachings of the I ?. Inductees are subjected to harsh regimens of physical exercise, meditation, theological study, and mental conditioning. Although the Awakening cannot be induced in an individual, the training is tailored prepare the student to sieze the opportunity if and when it comes.

Conditioned emerge from their training with bodies honed to the peak of physical performance and minds developed to staggering heights of cognitive and analytic ability. They equiped with exceptional memory and perception, as well as the capability for kind of supra-logical hypothesizing. Through this learned mental process Conditioned are able to sift large volumes of data and devise concise analyses in a process that goes far beyond logical deduction: Conditioned cultivate what they call the 'raw mind', the mind without preconception or prejudice, that can extract the essential patterns or logic of data and deliver, with varying degrees of certainty, useful conclusions.

To the uninitiated, Conditioned appear to have an uncanny sense of intuition: deducting the causes and factors influencing a given situation; anticipating the attacks of their foes, surmising the motives of others, and even predicting the possible outcomes of a particular scenario given enough information.

This combined with their superb physical capabilites makes them not only premire intellectuals but also unequaled warriors. However, even with their immense traingng, the abilities of the Conditioned are far outstripped by the unearthly feats of the truly [i]Awakened[/i].

[b]Dharma[/b]

The Dharma are the cosmic principles or laws that order the universe. For the Awakened, the Dharma are the golden paths to [i]Transcendence[/i].

Throughout history many schools, philosopies, and factions have sprung up in devotion to one Dharma or another, leading to great ages of enlightenment as well as into the depths of the Dharmic Wars.

[b]One-Soul, The[/b]

The all-pervading soul of the universe; the universal life-principle and animator of all organisms. To glimpse and know the One-Soul is the heart of the [i]Awakening[/i]. At the end of his life, or sooner in the case of uncommon growth and wisdom, the Awakend transcends, moving beyond the objective universe to be permanently absorbed into the One-Soul.

[b]Prana[/b]

The vital breath, or energy that flows from the individual souls of all living things. It is through their Pranas that all beings effect their enviroments. The [i]Awakened[/i] have the ability master the control and extension of their Pranas to achive uncanny feats far beyond the abilities of mere mortals.

[comment author="Kicker"]Perhaps a union of these last two terms is possible? Maybe all Prana is one in the Mind of the Buddha or something? The enlightenment takes the form of realizing the prana you thought of as "yours" is in fact an eddy in the trans-finite sea of self that is the universe? Although it does seem that you need a better name for it than "All Prana Everywhere And Not Just Yours."[/comment]

[b]Protocols[/b]

The formulaic manipulations of Prana that have been researched and developed by the various militaries, and other oganizations of the galaxy, for use by [i]Awakened[/i] personel. Though significantly ritualized, the Protocols are capable of allowing an Awakened to achive more focused and larger scale effects than the Awakened's more personal or natural [i]Prana[/i] techniques.

[b]Transcendence[/b]

The point at which an individual fully [i]Awakens[/i], [i]Resonates[/i] with the [i]One Soul[/i], and comes into perfect harmony with all reality — ‘fading out’ and meldling with the ultimate. In most cases the individual Trancends at the moment of their Awakening. However throughout history there have been those that through regret, greed or pure will have managed to resist the pull of One Soul and remain on this side of eternity. Though in the end, sometimes after several centuries of growth, they eventually heed the call of the ultimate and cross over

[b]War Prana[/b]

Moving beyond invisibly manipulating the world around them, the [i]Awakened[/i] may physically manifest their Prana for use in martial application. Each War Prana's appearance is stylized to the tastes and nature of it's owner. Some Awakened manifest glowing blades, crackling whips, rapid-fire beams of energy, or shields of pure force. Though draining, an Awakend may further manifest their War Prana as a towering humanoid figure of pure energy, capable of engaging fighters, mecha or even capital ships. Many Awakened name their War Prana, reconizing it as a extention of their true selves.