The Oracular Arts

"The future is not intangible. It is a tool to be harnessed and wielded like any other and ichor provides us with the necessary strength. We can master it."

— Machello o Corion

The Oracular Arts, developed over many centuries and first pioneered by the Aradin, are used by Oracles to focus and control ichor in order to glean information and direct visions of the future. It was first legitimately studied in Thripia by Machello o Corion, the official adviser to the Dynasty Kings Caralcis and Atrucius. As well as Oracles, Fire Warriors are known to study the Oracular Arts and pass their knowledge of it on from master to apprentice.

Function

A fundamentally abstract field, the Oracular Arts rely chiefly on control of the mind of the self, often making use of Polymanis's metaphor of the Labyrinth to understand thought and individuality. As such, Oracles are sometimes called Labyrinthians. It is well known that ichor is not a wholly impartial substance; the whims and wants of its user, as well as their knowledge and understanding of the world, are known to shape visions and err them away from the whole truth. The first lesson taught by the Oracular Arts is how to avoid this unconscious bias. Principally, this is done through introspection and meditation, examining the way one thinks, determining faults and willfully adapting to them. It is for this reason that only a few individuals possessing of apt self-awareness are capable of fully harnessing all that the Oracular Arts may offer.
The second principle objective of the Oracular Arts, and easily the most significant and substantial, is the ability to determine what future is seen. Normally, ichor's foresight is random. affected by the aforementioned bias factors, and visions may be entirely irrelevant if they even depict something useful at all. The reason Oracles are so highly valued is for their ability to guide their ichor visions and perceive what they want or need to perceive. This innovation, first pioneered by Machello o Corion based on the teachings of the old Aradin seers, revolutionized the way ichor was used in Thripia. It's fundamental technique is based around reversing and utilizing inherent bias; conceptualizing in a limited, unrestricted way what future the Oracle intends to see and then allowing the ichor to latch onto that and devise for them the most accurate vision of that intended future. This must be done in such a way that their wants and desires guide the ichor to a desired vision but do not impact the actual contents of that vision. It is a difficult skill to master requiring of much self-assurance that most are entirely incapable of. As with all things, the more ichor is consumed and the more this ability is honed, the more successful it will be.

Traditional Oracular Arts

The traditional Oracular Arts used by Aradin seers, sometimes called iridiora, is a different practice, however. Their cultural attitude to ichor, which they call iridior, is disconnected from that of Thripia's. The Aradin see it not as a tool to be manipulated but as a force to be embraced and immersed within. Seers, much in the same was as Oracles, recognize that visions are determined by unconscious biases but, rather than attempting to expunge them, they instead give in to their desires and surrender themselves to their thoughts entirely, relying on instinct alone and leaving the iridior vision to guide them to whatever fate may be awaited. Rather than choose their visions, they simply accept whatever insight is given to them and, by completely submerging themselves within their thoughts and sensations, ensure the vision's truthfulness by exposing to all possible biases.

Usage

The Oracular Arts singularly changed the way ichor was used in Thripia. In the days before Machello o Corion, ichor was principally a luxury. If its visions granted knowledge, this was entirely by happenstance. Yet, Machello himself had observed the way Aradin seers were seemingly so capable of wielding the future in accordance with their desires and he brought his study of their techniques back to Thripia. Once it was discovered what he was capable of, he became exceedingly wealthy and within a few decades had spread his pioneering trade to many new Oracles all throughout the city. Even into the New Age, his lineage are some of the most renowned Labyrinthians in the city.
As most people do not wish to waste their ichor, they will spend coin to attain the serves of an Oracle whom they will provide ichor to, or who will have some in their possession already, and ask for a specific vision of the future from them. In addition, Oracles often act as advisers to politicians and Merchant Lords; some are in the employ of the Cult of Sargos or the School of Philosophy. They are few in number, however, and their work often takes time. Nevertheless, they are an invaluable asset to the city and their institutions.