Novice Abilities

There is a wide range of abilities that your lyte could learn!

This page holds a list of Novice abilities for First and Second Degree magics! They are the first abilities any lyte interested in magic learns, and are the simplest to master as a result.

Most abilities that do not have "second stages" later on naturally improve as the Astrolyte increases their level of knowledge! For example, a Median user would be able to restore but larger or heavily damaged plants than a Novice user would despite it only being a Novice-level ability.

Novice Growth Abilities

Growth

Restore Plants

Restore Plants encompasses the ability to revitalize wilting plants, regrow missing leaves or flowers, heal bitten or diseased plants, and even bring near-dead plants back to full health in some instances!

Many lytes use this skill to sustain personal and public gardens and farms, ensuring that all plants remain healthy and thriving. Unfortunately, it cannot be used to revive completely dead plants, and beginners tend to struggle with larger flora such as trees, extensive grasses, etc., at least until they get in enough practice!

How do you practice restoring plants?

It's recommended for absolute beginners to start off working on very small plants, such as young sprouts or small patches of grass, and to research how they work as much as they can beforehand! Previous knowledge will help with imagining how the plant will need to be put back together.
A small, clean cut to the plant is ideal, as it is much easier to reconnect than a jagged tear or burn. If a lyte is just starting out, they will have to keep in physical contact with the plant as they try to imagine it reconstructed and focus on bringing forward their magic.
It might not work the first few tries, but with enough attempts, they'll be fixing up flora in no time!

Basic Healing

Basic Healing covers the ability to heal small cuts, burns, scrapes, and other minor injuries with the help of plants and herbs! This is useful for lytes who are around animals or out in the wilderness often, as it provides an easy way to prevent infections from otherwise harmless scratches. It's also fairly helpful for parents and lampery caretakers, as lavalings are known to get themselves in trouble from time to time! This ability can only truly heal small wounds, and will take some time at first to perfect. It takes a lot of focus to heal, and it's important to use plants that will aid in the healing process, not cause additional injury!

How do you practice healing?

It's vital that the lyte practicing researches what plants to use during their healing attempts, as using the wrong one may make the injury worse. It's best to find somebody with a simple cut to practice on, but it's possible for the lyte to use themself if they often get scratched up [ex. they own a particularly feisty musal].

The process is quite similar to restoring plants - the lyte must imagine the wound closing up, then focus their magic onto the cut to follow through. Beginners may leave small scars or bruises at first, but with enough practice, they'll be able to make it seem like the scrape was never there to begin with!

Manipulate Dirt / Sand / Small Rocks

This ability includes being able to lift, bend, and shape more inorganic materials such as rocks, stones, particles of sand, dry dirt, and so on! Many gardeners and farmers use this skill to move their crops and plants around easily, and it can also be quite useful for clearing out loose debris in collapsed tunnels or dirtied buildings. Beginners can only lift small clumps of dirt or pebbles, though, and it often takes a lot of practice to carve out the exact amount of material one would like to move. Lighter amounts and fewer particles are easier to control at first, so those just starting out will have to work their way up!

How do you practice manipulating dirt / sand / small rocks?

As with the other abilities, it's recommended to stay small in the beginning, focusing on just a few bits of dirt, grains of sand, or small pebbles! It helps to have an understanding of what these materials are composed of, as it may assist the lyte in understanding how each part comes together to form the whole which needs to be moved.
As the lyte brings forward their magic, the material should begin to rise or move with the lyte's movements. Lots of practice will allow them to move small amounts into specific shapes or separate from their own gestures!

Manipulate Organic Material [Small]

The manipulation of organic material consists of the ability to bend and move small plants, leaves, etc. to a lyte's will! Similar to the manipulation of dirt, those with agriculture-focused occupations use this skill to keep their plants from

growing too close to one another or to arrange them into award-winning presentations at fairs and such. Lytes just starting out will only be able to twist and move small, thin plants, and it may take a while to build up to being able to form shapes and such out of them or control multiple at a time.

How do you practice manipulating organic material?

It's helpful to have a good understanding of the plants being manipulated before trying to use any magic, especially with their limitations and how easily they will bend and snap! Humid conditions and thinner plants are recommended, as they're more elastic in the presence of water-heavy air and less likely to break.

It's normal for plants to snap and spring back when starting out, begin to move with the lytes will and become more compliant with practice. Denser plants such as cacti are much more difficult to manipulate, however once the ability has been mastered, most can create basic shapes from them. The ability to move multiple plants at once also comes with experience as it requires the lyte to picture different shapes for each organism and more focus overall!

Novice Burn Abilities

Burn

Sense & Pinpoint Higher Temperatures

The ability to sense and pinpoint higher temperatures is one that's used to, well, find areas or objects of warmer temperatures! The skill is most often used by adventurers and firefighters, who use it to better navigate their occupations. It's especially useful in colder climates where it can be used to find warmer places to stay on otherwise dangerous journeys through Zimian mountain ranges. This skill can also be useful for finding the heart of small and large fires to more effectively put them out and to locate the body heat of lost animals. Beginners tend to only be able to sense areas that are fairly close by and have a notably higher temperature than the surroundings!

How do you practice sensing and pinpointing higher temperatures?

It's generally useful to start learning this ability in Zima, as the island is well known for its cold climate and hot springs! Other methods for those just beginning to learn the element can include having a friend hide a hot cup of water in the house or in a small park on a cool day and trying to track it down.

The most effective places to use this ability are in cold, dry areas with notable heat patches, though as the user becomes more experienced, they can practice with different climates and levels of heat. This skill becomes much harder to use in hot environments such as the deserts of Aitsua, especially for beginners!

Increase Temperatures / Absorb Heat

This ability is used to absorb and increase the heat of other objects and creatures! It's particularly useful for those visiting cooler environments than they're used to as a way to keep warm. This skill also comes in handy for lytes whose jobs deal with heat as an easy way to transfer heat to food / liquids / metals that need to be raised to hotter temperatures. Lytes just starting out learning this element usually aren't able to consistently heat up large structures or bodies, being more successful with smaller areas to concentrate on. An external heat source to begin taking from is also often a necessity for beginners!

How do you practice increasing temperatures / absorbing heat?

This ability is notoriously tricky to get the hang of due to the risk of getting burnt, therefore it's best to start with non-dangerous items! Most beginners use small objects such as a glass of hot water and try to pull the heat from it into themselves, or the opposite - trying to heat it with their own body heat.

It's best to use this ability in a room of a temperature that would make the one being influenced clearer to sense: for example, using a cold room to isolate the heat of an object one is trying to draw warmth from. The aid from the environment can help many new learners to get the hang of this skill, and attempting it in conditions where everything is about the same temperature is significantly more difficult!

Change Flame Color

The ability of changing flame color covers the skill of altering the hue of existing flames to more unnatural colors! It's most often used by entertainers and the like as a way to add some extra flair to their shows and performances, but it can also be used as a flashier way to attract attention than the typical smoke signal or spark. Despite being an ability used mostly for show, it requires a much greater understanding of the element than some other Novice abilities. Those just starting out tend to struggle moving too away from natural flame colors or fully changing large bodies of flame!

How do you practice changing flame color?

An effective way to begin learning this ability is to start with candles and other small flames! A good deal of research on how flames form and their properties is also handy before trying to use this magic, though the way each user harnesses this skill varies between Astrolytes.

Quiet environments are often best for beginners as any distraction can shake the concentration necessary to complete the color change. Many struggle with changing flame colors since it's more of a subtle ability, and it's common for lytes to end up with flames that are only slight tints of the original color or are completely off from what they were trying to achieve while learning!

Manipulate Existing Flames

Manipulating Existing Flames encompasses the general ability of bending previously lighted flames to one's will! It can be important in many professions, most notably in firefighting and performing. Firefighters use it in perhaps the most obvious way, manipulating and quelling flames to put them out or confine them to one area. The best pyrotechnicians are masters of flame manipulation as they can create fanciful images and shapes at shows and performances. This skill can also be used in household activities like cooking and refined baking, though many lytes are only able to manipulate small or weak flames into vague shapes when beginning!

How do you practice manipulating existing flames?

As with many of the Burn abilities, it is much easier to start off with smaller flames! Complex shapes are nearly always impossible for beginners, and it's best to try creating simple swirls or something similar rather than more detailed patterns and forms right away. It's usually easier to control this form of magic in a heated environment with a good air flow so the flame can easily grow, however isn't impossible in cold weather.

Many magic users believe the best approach is to imagine the shape one wishes to create and envision the flame molding into it, though the process is different for everyone. It is a difficult ability and usually takes a lot of hard practice to get the hang of, especially in colder areas!

Novice Sky Abilities

Sky

Sense & Harness Small Air Currents

This ability is the process of detecting air currents, from slight breezes to some more powerful gusts of wind, and being able to manipulate and move them freely! It is most useful for more accurate weather prediction and magic shows, but it can also be used to help push items along if the wind is blowing the wrong direction one day. The most skilled in this ability are able to detect even slight changes in the air around them, though beginners often struggle detecting these more subtle winds. However, it does not allow one to control very strong gusts, and strong winds would not be manageable.

How do you practice sensing and harnessing small air currents?

The best conditions for practicing this ability tend to be clear days with a small, but noticeable, breeze. A quiet environment works best, as detecting the movement of winds requires a lot more focus than some other more tangible abilities.
Many begin by closing their eyes or using blindfolds, as this makes it easier to focus on the air currents alone. Being a focus-based skill, there's no one right way to master it - it only requires the lyte to bring forward their magic as they concentrated on where the currents are currently directed and where they would like them to move instead. Beginners tend to struggle with larger gusts or directing them in a wildly different direction, but most find that it's an easy ability to improve on after getting it right once!

Increase Speed

Increase Speed covers the ability of using the force of the air to increase someone or something's velocity! It's most often used by racers and law officials, ranging from friendly competition to serious chases. The skill also comes in handy for parents and caretakers, being used as a way to keep up with rowdy lavalings and their antics. Unfortunately, this ability does not allow everything to be sped up - even those who have a general handle on it struggle to make anything very heavy

move faster, and it doesn't work on objects or lytes not currently in motion. Beginners may only be able to slightly increase their own speed or make light items move faster at the very start, but many who have mastered it are able to cover short distances in the blink of an eye and run much faster across long stretches of land.

How do you practice increasing speed?

Having a wide open expanse with few obstacles is important before attempting this skill, as well as a basic idea of where to go. Starting with short distances tends to work out better, as it doesn't tire the lyte out as quickly.
Practicing is as simple as preparing to run or having an object they'd like to set in motion. As they or their object picks up speed, they can use their magic to gather the air around them and give themself a boost of speed! Beginners may start to lose control as they move faster, but masters of the ability can focus their speed in the exact direction they'd like to move. With enough practice, lytes can control multiple objects at once, and sometimes even other lytes!

Basic Sound Manipulation

This skill covers a range of connected abilities, including altering the volume of one's voice, changing how one perceives a sound, replicating sounds and voices, and "throwing" a sound to a different location! Entertainers are the most well known users of this ability, all the way from projecting and throwing voices in professional performances to caretakers putting on small shows at lamperies. It also helps to raise one's voice over a crowd or quickly lower it to a whisper, as well as dampen or raise the volume at which the user hears outside noises. There are some limits to this ability though, with beginners struggling to affect anything too far away and only having a good control of their own voice near the start.

How do you practice manipulating sound?

There's quite the range of practice methods due to how diverse this ability's uses are, but beginning in a very quiet or conversation-volume room depending on which facet is being practiced generally works better than extremely loud areas. Having previous knowledge of the sound one is trying to manipulate helps immensely.

As with all other magic, the practicing lyte should maintain a high level of focus on the noise being altered. As the sound is emitted, they can concentrated on bending the air around it to warp how they and eventually others perceive it. Beginners often have difficulty manipulating sounds outside of their own voice, and even end up making noises they weren't trying to emulate! With enough practice, they should have a good handle on any nearby sounds.

Levitate Objects [Small]

The levitation of small objects is a straightforward-sounding ability that allows the user to lift lightweight items by controlling the air around them! As one of the most popular Sky abilities, there are many uses for this skill! Using it to carry more items than one can hold, work from across a room, help put on shows, and so on are all common situations that prove useful in many occupations, especially ones that require a lot of multitasking. Lytes just starting out tend to only be able to lift very light objects such as slips of paper and writing utensils, but it's entirely possible to begin lifting small containers and heavier items with enough practice! This ability doesn't allow for objects much larger than a small lantern to be lifted, however.

How do you practice levitating small objects?

This is perhaps one of the most difficult Novice Sky abilities despite its popularity, so a distraction-free practice area is as important as ever! Lytes who are attempting it should start off with very small items, nothing heavier than a paper scrap. They may gradually increase as they get better at the element, but starting big almost always results in frustration alone.

The practicing lyte should place the object they'd like to levitate in front of them and focus on shifting the air around it rather than just picking the item up. It usually takes a few tries at first, but once it's been done with one object, it's easier to start adding more light scraps or moving onto larger supplies! Denser materials tend to be more difficult for beginners to lift, but it gets more manageable with practice.

Novice Flow Abilities

Flow

Sense & Pinpoint Higher Humidity

This ability consists of sensing higher humidity and correctly pinpointing its location! It is commonly used by adventurers and explorers to find areas with water when they need to hydrate or cool down / warm up, but it can also be useful for more settled lytes to find leaks or the best place to plant crops. Usually, beginners can only sense relatively high humidity in a nearby location, and having a general knowledge of the environment beforehand tends to yield better results. It is much harder to sense anything specific while already in a humid environment such as near steam or in the rain.

How do you practice sensing and pinpointing higher humidity?

It's recommended for beginners to start in an area where there's a hidden source of water that isn't too far away, such as a small pool or glass of water placed there by a friend. Staying in a dry area while just starting out tends to be easiest as well.

Practicing lytes often choose to close their eyes to focus only on their magic more easily, and this habit is sometime kept through Expertise. Since most try to dampen their other senses when learning this ability, it important to start out in clear areas without any dangerous obstacles. It's common for beginners to end up way off from where they initially thought they were going, but they will be able to land pretty accurately with enough practice!

Create Bubbles

Create Bubbles is the ability to create bubbles from one's body, release them into the air, and even control them! This skill is most commonly used by parents and caretakers to entertain their lavalings and hold little talent shows! It's also often used by performers as a bit of added flair to their shows, well known for being a simple yet fun ability to master. Usually, beginners are limited to blowing bubbles from water currently being held in the lyte's mouth, and the ability to move them around or form them into certain shapes at will requires much more practice than just creating them.

How do you practice creating bubbles?

To practice this particular skill, the lyte should stay well hydrated with a glass of water or other liquid on hand. Starting in dry, windy environments is discouraged, with still, humid ones often resulting in an easier use of the ability.
The easiest way to begin is to take a sip of water and hold it in one's mouth. Bringing their magic forward, the lyte must try and steadily blow a bubble using the excess liquid. It's common for the bubbles to break before or soon after they are formed for those just starting out, but once they get the hang of it, they can then concentrate trying to move and shape the bubbles. Beginners tend to pop them early on, but it doesn't take long for each user to find what works best for them!

Alter Water Currents

Alter Water Currents covers the abilities of bending and controlling the direction of existing water flow to one's will! This skill is commonly used for moving and transporting liquids to the desired location and by gardeners and farmers as an easy way to distribute water to their plants. It also can be used to send something back in the correct direction if a stray current begins to carry it away. Beginners most commonly can only bend small or weak currents though, and altering one to move in the complete opposite direction required much more focus than simply pushing it farther in one direction.

How do you practice altering water currents?

It's most recommended to start at a weak stream or controlled trickle of water in a place where the flow of the water won't be too badly disturbed. Some find it easier to have rocks or other obstacles to have as a starting point for aiming the water elsewhere.
Performing the ability is mostly a matter of focus - as the lyte gradually imagine the current bending while bringing forth their magic, the water should begin to respond in accordance to their will. It's not uncommon for beginners to have difficulty moving more than a small amount at a time or even end up twisting the water in a completely different direction than they first intended!

Manipulate Vapor & Water Droplets

This ability includes the skills of controlling water vapor, droplets, and rain and bending then to one's will! It's most often seen in performances as a way to spray mist into the audience and direct droplets to land where they're needed on stage, but is also used to keep dry in the rain or keep humid air out. It can be a handy way to keep produce hydrated as well! Lytes just starting out usually can only control a small amount of vapor or a few water droplets for a short period of time, but those who have mastered this ability are able to create intricate images with large quantities of droplets and vapor.

How do you practice manipulating vapor?

Practice for this ability most often takes place in the rain, but it's possible to use droplets from a watering can, faucet, or other tool that can be used to create a drip. It's easiest to boil some water to practice with vapor, but any sort of mist or steam works.

From there, one can concentrate on bringing their magic forward and try to hold the water droplets or the vapor in place for a few seconds. After some trial and error, the lyte should be able to keep the water droplets or vapor in a desired place and begin to move them in different directions. Most beginners can only focus on moving multiple droplets in the same direction, but those who have mastered this ability are sometimes able to control many independently of one another!

Novice Mind Abilities

Sense Nearby Presences

Sense Nearby Presences encompasses the general ability of sensing the presence of nearby lytes and other living creatures! It tends to be used by officials looking for a suspect, by parents wanting to keep a handle on an unruly lavaling, or in any job involving a high headcount that needs to be kept track of. This skill doesn't exactly allow for the user to learn the identity of the lyte - one who has mastered the ability might be able to tell someone they know from a stranger or sense whether they are a lavaling or adult, but that's about the limit. Beginners struggle to see beyond a very short distance away or through thicker / larger barriers, and can easily get confused in dense crowds.

How do you practice sensing nearby presences?

This ability is another heavily focus-based one, and many practicing lytes often isolate themselves indoors, or put on a blindfold if going outside to attempt it. It requires a partner to "hide" somewhere nearby, and as a result is very commonly done indoors easily wait in another room and be able to sense through thinner walls.

The learner should focus their magic and use it as a way to search the area surrounding them. With luck, they'll soon detect somebody in a nearby room! Lytes they know are easier to detect than strangers, and inexperienced users may quickly get lost if the lyte they're trying to sense is moving too quickly or is surrounded by many others.

Mind

Detect Lies

This ability allows the user to tell when somebody else is lying or otherwise working their way around telling the truth! It is most notably use by investigators or other law officials for interrogations about cases. It's also often used in magic shows where Experts test how far they can detect lies from the audience, and by aspiring journalists and detectives as a way to "take things into their own hands." Unfortunately, those just starting out often struggle to discern the truth and a lie if they aren't wildly different, and they tend to have problems detecting half-truths instead of outright lies.

How do you practice detecting lies?

As with most Mind abilities, a partner is required to practice this skill. It's best to start in a quiet area with nobody else around, as it's easy to get confused and lose focus if there's many other thoughts going around.

The easiest method is to get a friend and have them tell the practicing lyte both a truth and a lie or answer a simple question. They can then attempt to discern which is which with their magic. Starting with very different truths and lies is crucial, as slight differences don't exactly make themselves clear to beginners. Simple yes or no responses are easiest to detect, but it may take much longer for lytes to be able to know a lie in casual conversation.

Predict Responses

Predict Responses includes the skills of correctly predicting anything from simple yes or no answers to fully independent responses! It is most often used in performances and business, entertainers using it as a way to predict audience response and entrepreneurs using it to guess how their idea may be received before they get any actual feedback. Romantics are also known to use it to see if they have any chance with the one they love. Beginners often difficulty picking up on more complicated responses, and may not be able to make a very accurate prediction. Those who have mastered this ability may be able to pick up on subtle thoughts running through the other's mind, but lytes new to the skill tend to just figure out short, obvious answers.

How do you practice predicting responses?

The ideal conditions for beginners are practicing with someone the lyte knows with simple yes or no questions. Quiet, secluded areas are best at first for this ability as well to minimize distractions. Some may start out with simple trivia that they may already know and slowly move onto more hidden info.

The lyte should have a short list planned to ask their partner. The partner should begin to think of their response, but wait for the learner to bring forward their magic and guess what it'll be. Predictions are always easier on close ones, and it may take the lyte a while to be able to guess for strangers or whens surrounded by many other lytes.

Manipulate Simple Thoughts

This ability covers the skills of swaying another's opinion or original decision to something different than their initial intent! It's commonly used by shopkeepers and other merchants to convince customers to buy more of their wares, but also as a tactic to get items at lower prices themselves. Less often, it can also be shown off in magic shows, usually performed on assistants with the intent to make them say a comedic line unintentionally. However, this skill cannot force someone to make a wildly different decision and might only slightly make a lyte doubt themself if they're absolutely sure on a decision.

How do you practice manipulating simple thoughts?

As usual, a partner is needed for practice, ideally someone the practicing lyte knows well. Attempting in quiet, isolated areas works best to prevent other's thoughts from distracting them.

The process usually involves asking questions to the partner and trying to get them to reply differently than they intend. Yes or no questions are the best start, and the helping assistant typically waits a moment to allow the learner to concentrate their magic to get them to answer with a response that wouldn't naturally be said! Beginners often struggle to manipulate beyond basic yes and no's, or end up pushing the thought in a different direction than they intended if user isn't focused enough.

Novice Strike Abilities

Strike

Sense & Pinpoint Electricity

This skill consists of sensing higher levels of static and electricity, as well as correctly pinpointing where it is located! It can be useful for those trying to predict the weather, especially in fishing communities to avoid getting caught in a storm. It can also be used to make sure there are no loose wires or dangerous charges lurking in any mechanical systems, so it's a popular ability in Aitsua and Unkiri where technology is more prevalent. Beginners may find this ability one of the hardest to learn as it requires a great deal of concentration, and they might end up with a few static shocks from getting too close.

How do you practice sensing and pinpointing electricity?

It's usually recommended to practice this ability with nearby electricity instead of trying to predict charged weather like thunderstorms! Frayed wires, small batteries and the like are usually preferred to prevent serious injury or electrocution while trying to sense their charge, and dry weather is useful as moisture can make this ability much harder to use.

Once the lyte has an item to attempt on, they can focus on using a similar "searching" technique as other abilities to sense which end is stronger. After they have the basics down, it's easier to move onto more exposed electricity such as Strike-powered devices and lightning!

Static Charge

Static charge is the ability of gathering stray energy and concentrating it onto oneself, something else, or simply into a ball of static! It can be used in magic shows or illusions, with skilled magic users being able to bounce balls of electricity or draw out long arcs between metal objects. Many mechanics also make good use of static charge to jump-start machines or electronics, and in exact quantities can recharge portals. It's fairly simple to learn, however beginners may struggle to create and control more than a few sparks. Even the masters can only create a middling amount of charge, so this ability alone is not a reliable power source.

How do you practice building up a static charge?

One should begin learning this ability with a friend for safety in case of an accidental fire or injury. Again, having a dry environment is often best for practicing so there is less chance of conducting to a random object.

Once the practicing lyte has acquired an item that can easily create static electricity, they should attempt to draw the charge into themselves using their magic. A telltale sign of the ability beginning to work is to see one's fur standing on end! They can then work on transferring it around or condensing it into a small ball of static. It's very common for those just starting out to struggle to hold their charge for extended periods of time, and even harder to transfer it across to something else, but it gets much easier with practice!

Change Magnetic Properties

The ability of changing magnetic properties allows the user to add, remove, or otherwise alter the magnetic properties of both themselves and different items! This, like some other Strike abilities, is popular in magic shows and mechanics. Lavalings especially find the trick of becoming magnetic amusing, as the performers can attract all manner of metal objects to themselves or others. Engineers can use this ability to become magnetic as well, and this allows them to find small metal objects and attract specific tools when they need them. It can be difficult to create a strong magnetic charge at first, and it can usually only be used to attract close objects. Altering significant amounts of magnetism such as a large vehicle or a house is near impossible unless the ability has been mastered!

How do you practice changing magnetic properties?

Practice for this ability is usually done with small and light metal objects such as cutlery or crafting materials. Trying to switch the pole charge on two magnets is also a common starting point, and the ability is very focus based - getting distracted can very easily cost a beginner their progress, so the best environment is somewhere quiet.

After choosing a target to change the magnetism of, the practicing lyte should focus on any existing electric charges within it and attempt to add or remove charges from the environment. Making a magnetic object lose it's magnetism is typically easier for beginners, but it's entirely possible to add charges or pick and choose what items to change the magnetic properties of from a distance with enough practice! The items usually revert to their original magnetism a short while after being manipulated by magic, though.

Manipulate Existing Electricity

This ability encompasses the general skills of bending and manipulating existing electrical currents and bolts! Artists and street performers often use this ability to create interesting (albeit temporary) patterns in the air after sapping the energy from a battery or otherwise charged object. Professional users are able to manipulate this ability to repair electrical devices and portals, as well as for safety if an area needs to be cleared of all charge. This ability is generally more powerful for long-term recharging, and can condense small amounts of charge in emergencies. Beginners cannot manipulate more than about a fist-sized amount of electricity, and they may find it difficult to charge batteries with the energy if surrounded by a lot of machinery.

How do you practice manipulating existing electricity?

Strike batteries are endlessly useful for learning this ability and are often provided in Strike magic classes. Beginners can use these batteries to try and 'steal' their electricity, though this may result in a few static shocks and singed hairs. Quiet areas are generally preferred for practice, however it's recommended to be within hearing distance of someone else in case something goes wrong.

Performing is mostly a matter of focus, with the user having to sense their environment for the strongest source of electricity and attempt to extract it. As with the other abilities, it is difficult to manipulate large amounts without practice, and it can be easy to let the electricity fizzle out if concentration is lost!

Novice Decay Abilities

Alter Transparency

Alter Transparency covers the abilities of changing the opacity of various objects and oneself! It can often be seen in advanced magic shows as a guessing game on near-invisible objects, as well as by doctors to identify foreign objects or get a better look at injuries. Self-transparency tends to change the overall body part, but it is possible to end up with only translucent skin or muscle [which can easily freak out inexperienced users, but some use it to their advantage]. Unfortunately, this ability doesn't allow for the user to make anything completely invisible, but they may get close with other objects after enough practice!

Decay

How do you practice altering transparency?

Small objects such as small trinkets [necklaces, rings, figurines, etc.] or small parts of the body [corner of an ear, hoof, etc.] are best to focus on for beginners! Many practice in front of a mirror when attempting to alter pieces of themselves, or at least have a friend there to tell them if it's working.

One must keep contact with whatever object they intend to change the opacity of if it's not a part of themself. They can then focus their magic and imagine what it would look like if the item wasn't there. Objects with multiple layers may serve to be more difficult to alter completely, instead changing section by section. This works for making translucent items opaque as well, and just follows the inverse of lowering opacity. Beginners tend to find practicing on their own body yields the best results at first, but masters of the ability may be able to change the transparency of larger objects, or make their entire body appear see-through!

Detect Illness

This ability consists of the general skills relating to detecting a sickness and being able to locate and identify it! It's mostly used by doctors for obvious reasons, but many caretakers, farmers, and vets make use of it to more quickly administer help to the lavalings and/or animals they watch over. Users aren't able to identify illnesses they don't personally know already, and subtle or rare ailments are hard to identify using magic alone. Diseases in pets and other creatures can be located as well, but the more foreign it is to a lyte, the more difficult it will be for a vet or pet owner to identify. This skill doesn't mean they'll automatically know how to treat it, but it often makes finding a solution a lot easier!

How do you practice detecting illness?

It is a bit harder to practice compared to other skills due to needing a lyte who is genuinely sick, but doctor's offices are generally willing to allow practicing Decay students in to attempt on non-contagious patients who have agreed to participate. Many users find that starting with lavalings or lytes of the same species / Subspecies as them is easiest to manage as well.

The practicing lyte should remain in close proximity or contact with the patient. They can then bring forward their magic and "search" for anything that feels abnormal. It may take a while for beginners to sense anything, but masters of the ability can find clear issues fairly quickly!

Deteriorate Organic Material

The skill of deteriorating organic material includes the abilities of breaking down existing masses of organic material such as leaves, trees, and other living things. Many farmers and builders use it to remove excess brush, kill weeds & occasionally bugs, and clear expanses of land. It's also often seen in hospitals to assist in removing parasites and other harmful tissue. Beginners tend to struggle deteriorating anything larger than small plants, and the ability doesn't make it possible to kill any

living creatures aside from small pest bugs,

and even that takes a very advanced user!

How do you practice deteriorating organic material?

Beginners are encouraged to find a small plant that's already in a worse condition to practice on, usually minor weeds, grasses, or dead leaves depending on the location. Research on the plant often helps get an idea of the easiest part to deteriorate.

Once the practicing lyte has found a plant to attempt on, they can focus on bringing their magic forward and imagine the deconstruction of the subject. It's normal for deterioration to be very minor when first starting out, so it's not recommended to jump straight into big tangled patches one would like to remove. However, they may eventually be able to tackle the larger expanses with enough practice!

Lower Heart Rate

Lower Heart Rate is the skill of slowing one's own heart rate, as well as the heart rates of other lytes and creatures. As with most other Decay abilities, doctors and other professionals most commonly use it to keep patients and loved ones calm in stressful situations. It's also useful for any job that requires a lot of time under pressure to keep things manageable. This ability cannot stop one's heart rate completely, only slow it from it's current speed. It has the potential to be dangerous if held low for too long, but it's impossible to seriously damage anyone with it. It's difficult for beginners to alter anything outside of their own heart rate, but masters of the ability are able to extend their control to other lytes and even animals in some cases!

How do you practice lowering heart rates?

It's best to start on oneself, as it requires a good understanding of what's being altered and is easier to detect change. A lot of research is recommended for this ability, and going in blind will likely result in no progress being made.

The practicing lyte should relax in a place without distraction, since any disruption could completely throw off their concentration. They can then focus on the sound of their heartbeat, imagining the beats getting further apart and bringing forth their magic to do so. It may be difficult to notice at first due to how beginners can only manage slight drops, but with enough practice, they will be able to lower it more significant amounts!

Novice Freeze Abilities

Freeze

Sense & Pinpoint Lower Temperatures

This ability allows the user to sense lower levels of heat, as well as correctly pinpoint the location of the decreased temperature! It is highly useful for travelers as it can aid them in finding cool water, especially in the Aitsuan deserts. It is... less useful in Zima, but still can be used to find colder areas of solid ice rather than the usual snow. Beginners may find it difficult to pinpoint exact locations and will often find themselves in the general vicinity of a colder area instead of exactly where they were aiming for. This ability becomes harder over large distances as well, so it's often a good idea to start training in close quarters.

How do you practice sensing and pinpointing lower temperatures?

This ability is easiest to get the hang of in a familiar environment such as one's home or an often-visited parkland, though indoor environments with an otherwise steady temperature are often preferred to get a clearer sense of the area.

As with the Burn ability for locating higher temperatures, a common way to begin is to have someone else hide a cold cup of water or a bowl of ice cubes somewhere nearby and then attempt to locate it through searching the area with their magic. Beginners may struggle with trying to pinpoint their target through thick barriers such as dense walls or trees, and it can be difficult to locate if placed in a different room!

Form Icicles

Forming icicles is the skill of creating small, hanging icicles on existing surfaces! As with many of the magical abilities, this can be used in magic shows or performances to create long and detailed icicles or connected structures. Decorators are also known for taking advantage of the artistic properties of this skill by creating fancy, patterned icicles instead of generic jagged ones. However, it can only be used on relatively cool objects, and metal is well known for throwing off any attempts to use this ability. Beginners cannot form large icicles, and only ones that hang straight down compared to experts who may be able to create more complex patterns, shapes, and structures.

How do you practice forming icicles?

A fairly large surface such as a branch, roof, or shelf should be chosen beforehand, preferably one that may be holding some water to draw from. A relatively cold environment is key, as any icicles formed will melt away in an instant in hot areas - even generally warmer places can make learning much more difficult for beginners. Some may splash some water on whatever they would like to create icicles off of to give themselves a starting point.

The practicing lyte should begin by focusing on the existing water particles in the atmosphere and within the object, then attempt to draw them out and freeze them into place. Most can only manage tiny spikes to begin with, but masters of the ability can create intricate patterns and even draw icicles from themselves!

Freeze Liquids [Small]

This ability allows the user to freeze small amounts of liquids of any kind! This form of Freeze magic is commonly seen in industrial areas and factories, as it can be used to rapidly cool liquid-covered equipment or molten materials by temporarily freezing them. Most are only able to freeze at a very slow rate when first learning this ability, even for smaller amounts of liquid, but more advanced lytes can create 'flash-freezes' of slightly larger bodies of liquid like filled buckets. Liquids with higher freezing points are generally much harder to freeze no matter the skill level, and beginners are often only able to freeze the very top layer of deeper liquids!

How do you practice freezing small amounts of liquids?

Having a small glass or bowl with a thin pool of water or other liquid at the bottom is typically the easiest starting place for most beginners! Colder environments are often preferred as well, at least until they get the hang of the element.

Once the practicing lyte has the liquid they'd like to practice on, they can work on bringing forth their magic and using it to condense what's inside the container to a solid. Half-frozen liquids can return to a fully liquid state in an instant if the user is distracted, but with enough practice, they will be able to move onto freezing larger amounts of liquids!

Manipulate Existing Ice / Frozen Solids

Manipulate Existing Ice / Frozen Solids is a skill that allows one to manipulate ice into new forms and complex shapes! This skill is highly popular with artists and sculptors, and can be used to create decorative pieces for events and competitions. More intricate ice sculptures are often made and shown off by masters of this skill, and there are quite a few novelty ice cube shops owned by more advanced Freeze users. Artists who use this ability for their sculptures often have sealed-away studios that are kept cool and occasionally rented out by Freeze students. Beginners struggle to manipulate the ice into anything outside of simple shapes, and it's also far more difficult for them to achieve a good result with a larger chunks of ice!

How do you practice manipulating existing ice / frozen solids?

Many choose to start off with small ice cubes or even liquids frozen during practice for previous Freeze abilities as a base for what they'd like to manipulate! As usual, colder environments make performing much easier, and a great deal of concentration is necessary to get anywhere at all.

Once the practicing lyte has a workspace set up, they can focus on drawing out different shapes with the existing crystals. Smooth, clean shapes aren't typically a beginner's forte, so starting out with small, abstract changes is usually the best approach. Those new to the ability often struggle with anything intricate, but more advanced users are known for more elaborate sculptures and designs after enough practice!