water working

The best-known category of water manipulation is the large-scale effects called working. Water Seekers with this ability can move and shape water on scales rivaling large mother ships. The best-known working is the Old Eddy's Dancinglight Dome, a water structure of such complexity that it required multiple Seekers working in concert to raise.
Other examples of major workings come from island reports of Water Seeker interventions in the wake of violence or disaster. These include Seekers opening holes in floodwaters, lifting debris with a lattice of waterspouts, or dropping a vast blanket of water over a riot.

Manifestation

In theory water can take any shape the worker desires, but the easiest form to work with is a vortex. The rotation stabilizes it so the worker can direct the water into any position without also having to keep it from falling apart.

Source

"You shape your aura the way you want the water to be, and then the water will want to be that shape."

— Ardez

What truly guides water working is the Seeker's aura. All water manipulation starts with a resonance between the Seeker and their objective. Workers excel at large-amplitude, whole-aura oscillations that can drive large amounts of water at great distances. Meditating enhances the effect, though it is challenging to maintain a lengthy float and an extended working at the same time.

Material Components

Free bodies of water are the easiest to work with, but more advanced workers can condense water from the air. The use of a lightning wheel highlights all the suspended moisture.
Objects can also be used as cores for complex water structures. The New Eddy's dome is a good example of this--Ardez raises one freestanding pillar in the entry to the dock, but the other workers use the dock towers as supports for their columns.

Gestures & Ritual

Physical gestures are not necessary for water working, and in fact are considered a crutch. Beginners may use hand and arm motions to help them focus on the shape they want to make, but are expected to progress to shaping water while motionless.