Voodoo Magic

The voodoo is a magic mostly practised in the southern continent of Aetheria, due to its close connections with the spirit realm.
This ritualistic school of spells combines shamanism and druidism with necromancy and summoning. Allowing its users ways to see and commune with sentient entities. Often through the offering of magically loaded items or relics that could allow the spirits to guide themselves to physical possessions that grant them a semblance of familiarity.
Among many cultures outside of Aetheria, voodoo magic is often seen as evil or at least of malign origin due to its close ties with necromancy. Though the truth is anything but, as this ancient magic is incredibly versatile and used for both good, bad and ugly.
Most voodoo practitioners hold themselves to a concept of balance between the bright and dark types. Believing that straying too far in the direction of one without the balancing weight of the other could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Ritual types

Rite of the Dead

This ritual is used when calling on spirits of the dead, be they a person or beast. Generally, offerings such as bone, meat, blood and skins are used to call souls back from the grave.
These items often need to be placed correctly though or a spirit might not be able to find the place of the rite. Something which can be fixed by, for example, leaving a knife within the slice of meat or carving the name of the spirit into the bones.
Voodoo rites of the Dead are usually used within justice to take vengeance on criminals or to help exorcise souls that remain trapped within the spirit realm due to being held away from the flow of souls. Malign practitioners of the voodoo though can trap these spirits themselves and use them to raise servants, or unleash on a hapless victim to haunt them.

Rite of Nature

This rite is used when one seeks to commune with nature, along with its spirits. Often through the offerings of dried fruits, twigs and twine.
Within the twigs, the name of the spirits will be carved as a message to call unto them. The offerings being tributes to pray for rainy weather, good harvests or sometimes even fertility. They are also used to predict the coming of seasons, as when times will be dry and harsh or wet and bountiful. Sometimes even to avoid natural disasters, such as earthquakes or sandstorms.
The natural rites can also be used to pray for good health, cures against sickness and the healing of wounds. Rites that demand for all those involved with the voodoo practitioner to practise balance between mortal and nature, for them to comply.

Rite of Loa

Unlike the other rites, those that are held for the loa demand unique tributes which would garner the interest of these divine spirits.
The loa are masters of traversing through the spirit plane, making it easy for them to track down any voodoo practitioner that wishes to commune with them. Unlike ordinary spirits, they can not be dragged in with a lure of familiarity or their known name, as they choose on their own violation whether they wish to make their presence known.
To commune with a loa, one must study them. Learn about their personality and motivations, so that one can make a suitable enough offering to garner their interest. Only then, can one bargain. Bargain with a millenia old spirit.

Writing by Tonarus
Art AI generated with Midjourney

Voodoo types

Bright Voodoo

The bright kind of voodoo magic represents life, nature, joy, calm and peace. It is purity and order but blinding if one stares into it for too long without shielding their eyes.
Abilities harnessed through that of bright voodoo involve healing spells, shamanism and blessings.

Dark Voodoo

The dark kind of voodoo magic represents death, the unknown, sorrow, modesty, turmoil and conflict. To delve too deep into the darkness may have a catastrophic effect on a person. Embracing it to a healthy amount though, may strengthen the whole tribe.
Abilities harnessed through that of dark voodoo involve curses, afflictions, shadowmancy and necromancy.

Loa Bargains

The abilities granted from bargains with loa are not considered categorised as they are seen as powerful wildcards, capable of suiting both and neither of the voodoo types at the same time.
These abilities are hence best used scarcely and only when necessary. As the loa spirits are neither benevolent or malign per rule, one should always know why they bargain with one.

Rite of Order

This rite has its origins outside of the Aetherian continent, being discovered by Peregonic explorers after first discovering the Arzawakii tribes.
In an attempt to purify what they considered evil magic, they went against the warnings of many tribal chieftains and their mystic counsellors. Utilising holy water with relics, salts and masterwork weapons to attempt and call forth angels from the heavens high.
They soon realised to their horror, that while most angels are wise and benevolent, exceptions exist to the rule.
After almost annihilating an Arzawakii village, the explorers were all executed by local Nightingales. Their bodies then shipped back to their king along with the notes of the research. A final warning was carved into the skin of the expeditionary captain's back.

“Do with these knowledge whatever thou wilt, on your lands. Thread Aetherian holy grounds again with your taint, thou head wilt be next on my pike.”

Rite of Chaos

These rites were first discovered with the coming of the beastkin. With animalistic barbarians raiding and enslaving the Sarkanic and Arzawakii populace, they were forced to teach the raiders the arts of voodoo, to which they were later executed and offered up in their own ceremonies.
The result of this cruelty and brutality was that the demon spirits of the land were attracted to the carnage. Offering them a middleman between mortal and demon. The voodoo rites of chaos were also behind the origin of diabolism and witchcraft, as illicit magical schools. Allowing the summoning of demons, or harnessing of their abilities in combat. Something which gave birth to the first warlocks.

Rite of Vengeance

With the coming of both the rite of Order and rite of Chaos breaching the vital balance of voodoo, a new type of rite would be born from both their sins.
The rite of vengeance, or sometimes called rite of equilibrium, consists of pure emotional and bodily sacrifice. An act carried out by a voodoo wielder swearing a bond or bargain with a spirit, being granted their full power and control to wreak havoc on the sinners as their immortalised champions.
These holy warlocks of vengeance would become known as the Animaegi. The turning tide that cleansed a good amount of diabolism cults alongside the Nightingales