Lefvada

Lefvada in Souls

Lefvada is an almost sentient energy. It is breathed, absorbed, and incorporated into all things physical on Vruanhai, with only a few exceptions. Upon being born, created, or otherwise given any form of life, the lefvada in the area attaches itself to the newborn soul. It intertwines with the soul, making it nigh impossible to separate without destroying the soul itself. Each soul can also only support so much lefvada, but the amount increases with age.
This is why the shadreagh, and other longer-lived species, have a much higher threshold than humans. The shadreagh, having been inhabitants of Vruanhai much longer and having longer lives, are able to hold within themselves many times more lefvada than a human could ever be capable of. In the same regard, verans can hold more within than any shadreagh, past two-thousand years of age. Up until then they are roughly equal, barring a shadreagh ascending.
As the lefvada is part of the soul, it is inexhaustible. However, the physical capabilities of the user should be taken into account, as it is possible to fall unconscious and possibly suffer other side-effects if one exerts too much energy. Alternatively, one may make use of the vast amounts of lefvada already in their environment. Doing so comes at almost no price, as the channeler tires out much slower. Once the casting is done, the lefvada disperses back into the area, and can be used again and again.

Channeling

In Vruanhai, channeling is the art of energy manipulation, whether it be drawing it from one’s inner reserves or the surrounding area. To draw from oneself is called ‘core channeling,’ often shortened to ‘core draw’ or ‘core flow,’ where drawing from one’s surroundings is called ‘external channeling’ with alternative names being ‘ex-draw,’ ‘ex-flow,’ and ‘nature flow,’ to name a small few.
When the humans first arrived and witnessed the commonplace channeling, they referred to it as magick, but to a native of Vruanhai, it is a technology, much like water irrigation, and much more essential to everyday life.
The practice is used to aid in construction of all kinds; lighting, heating, cooling, cooking, healing, and much more - a highly skilled wielder can call storms or, even more rarely, teleport. Channeling of course has its dangers. If one draws too much energy from one’s surroundings and does so too quickly, they risk exploding - literally, and sometimes with the concentrated power scarring the land. Drawing too much from one’s core can result in exhaustion and fainting, or Spiritburn, which is what happens when all reserves get depleted and the wielder’s soul is damaged.
The extent and location of the damage varies, but it always weakens the potency of further channeling, and more severe Burns can permanently disable a user and cut them off from the planet’s lifeforce - an effective suicide, and it eliminates the ability to reincarnate. Additionally, if the Burn is centered in the head, it can mentally disable the user for life, leaving them as little more than a vegetable.

Lefvada Schools

Because of the numerous risks involved in the art, all citizens are required to learn it at special schools. The first tier of schooling is free for everyone, so that all can understand and practice the basics. Second tier schools and higher must be applied to, but tuition fees vary. Entrance exams involved a live, personal demonstration of the applicant’s skill and knowledge, to ensure their basic understanding is complete. If it isn’t, they are required to take as many remedial courses as necessary before proper second-tier schooling can begin. This process repeats up until the fifth tier, with each entrance exam more difficult than the last, and the rules more strict.
There is in fact a sixth tier of schooling, but it cannot be applied to as usual. As the tier only trains masters, it is very small, and in fact there is only one of its schools in the world - and one is on Revgreah, which is rumored to have a total of eight tiers.
Agents of the sixth tier seek out talented individuals to recruit, or send them invitations. Once accepted, the individual must pass a rigorous exam to be absolutely sure of their qualifications. Tuition is expensive (although scholarships may be obtained), and once enrolled, all students are required to live on campus until graduation. There is no expulsion possible - if one messes up badly enough for that to even be considered, it ends in their death, one way or another.
Each tier is further divided. The first tier involves many types of channeling - fire, wind, water, earth, plasma, glamor, light, healing, and object manipulation. All students are required to study all of these, save for healing, for only a given few are born with that gift. Successive tiers involve the same, but expand upon each division, and allow students to specialize.
In the final year, the second tier introduces conjuration. The third, shadow manipulation. The fourth, weather and alchemy. The fifth expands on healing to include full biomancy and furthermore complex glamors.
Finally, the sixth tier touches upon necromancy and further drills in why it’s forbidden, and teaches how to mix two or more elements together. It further expands upon all disciplines, which each student must master in order to graduate. In addition, it teaches and allows the creations of new types of rituals. Upon graduation, each student is awarded a personalized ring, infused to further augment the user’s talents and serve as a status symbol. They are also given a plaque and a certificate, framed, and the title of Lefvadavifu.

Infusion

Just about any material can be infused with lefvada, from cloth, to crystal, to metal, and more, but the most common is to infuse crystal inside housing for heating and cooling. In fact, heating and cooling properties are the most common utilitarian infusions, and thus are widely taught and fairly easy to learn.
The second most common type of infusion is for durability on many objects. Another type is a minor infusion for maintaining sharpness of blades, be they kitchen knives or swords or axes.

Manifestation

Lefvada Development by Sehanbrel

Localization

Originates on Vruanhai, but can flow through portals and interdimensional gates, thus sustaining any Vai travelers away from home.

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane