Prism Nature and Origins
Because
The Prime, as the original sentient race of Alathor, were connected to the lifeforce of the Giver through the influence of the
Mother, but also carried in them the corruption infused by
The Harbingers, they acted as living prisms as the lifeforce channeled through them, developing the ability to split it into its fundamental elemental forces, the frameworks of all creation: light, shadow, fire, water, earth, air, and spirit. This process allowed the Prime to directly interact with these elements, manipulating them in ways that defied the natural order of the world and, over time and with careful study and practice, they were able to learn to do this at will.
This would become one of the final straws in
Zun's argument to eradicate them - they were already inherently destructive beings, and while there were some good uses of the magic, it was mostly used in the pursuit of power and dominance. It also defied and threatened the Father & Mother's entire project - living creatures on Alathor were meant to be containers of the lifeforce, flowing from the Sun to the Mother/Alathor, into the living creature, and then out and into the Moon Gate when that living creature died, always maintaing a balance. The Prime being able to refract and use this energy externally caused it to disappate, where it never returned to the Moon Gate.
Elemental Manipulation
The Prime could harness each of the elemental forces in distinct ways:
- Light: The ability to control and manipulate light, creating blinding illusions, bending light to become invisible, or even manifesting light as a weapon.
- Shadow: The power to command darkness, creating areas of impenetrable gloom, summoning shadowy constructs, or cloaking themselves in shadows for stealth.
- Fire: The ability to ignite and control flames, from small sparks to roaring infernos, and to draw heat from the environment or even from within themselves.
- Water: The power to shape and move water, conjuring torrents, calming seas, or even drawing moisture from the air to create water where there was none.
- Earth: The ability to manipulate the ground beneath them, shaping stone, causing earthquakes, or making plants grow or wither at will.
- Air: The power to control the winds, summoning storms, creating barriers of air, or even using wind to carry their voices or thoughts over great distances.
Impact on the Material World
The Prime’s manipulation of these elements was not just a matter of creating effects in the physical world—it was a fundamental alteration of reality itself. Their Prism nature allowed them to take the raw, undifferentiated energy of the Giver and the foundational elements of the universe and impose their will upon them, reshaping the very fabric of the world.
For example, a Prime could use their control over Earth to not just move stones but to alter the nature of stone itself, turning it soft as clay or hard as diamond. Their control over Water might allow them to transform a desert into a lush oasis or to call forth a flood that could reshape a landscape.
However, they cannot create new elements, and so must pull from a source - for example, to shoot a bolt of water could involve pulling water element from nearby dead (a magic user cannot pull element from a living object) timber - pulling enough would result in petrification of the timber. See the article on magical mechanics for more detailed information.
Decline and Legacy
As the
Stewards created new races from the Prime, they intentionally diluted this Prism ability to prevent the destructive potential it harbored. The new races retained only faint echoes of this power, leading to the rare and often subtle magic seen in the present-day world of Alathor. However, those with direct Prime ancestry (for the rare occassions when one of their ancestors bred with a member of the Prime, before they were eradicated) sometimes exhibited stronger connections to these elemental forces, though never to the same degree as the original Prime.
In modern Alathor, the knowledge of this Prism effect has been largely lost, existing only in fragmented myths and legends. Some ancient magic users and scholars in secluded monasteries or secret societies might still possess fragments of this understanding, using it to unlock greater magical potential within themselves or their students.
Cultural and Mystical Significance
The Prism nature of the Prime has left an indelible mark on the cultures and magic systems of Alathor. In regions where magic is studied or revered, such as the hidden monastery of Fuentasia or the secret schools of Kataria, there are teachings that attempt to tap into this ancient power. However, these teachings are often incomplete, and only those with the rarest of bloodlines or the most intense study can begin to access even a fraction of the Prime’s abilities.
In contrast, in places like
Aurorum, where magic is feared and outlawed, the Prism nature of the Prime might be seen as heretical or blasphemous—a dangerous knowledge that could disrupt the divine order established by
The Exalted and their theocratic rule.
