Etherial Sensitivity

The Etherial dimension of magic is a lesser and unknown dimension of magic, similar and neighbouring the Mind magic dimension. It has a near-invisible greyish-purple colour.

Unlike the known dimensions of magic, etherial magic does not cause spell stress, nor requires a factor to be drawn from, only a conscious mind and a tethered soul. It is the magical dimension required for dreams, and to a greater extent, astral projection. It can only be harnessed in greater magnitudes by those with natural node networks or is Elevated.

Extremely rarely, one might be born with sensitivity to etherial magic, allowing them to induce dreaming, lucid dreaming and astral projection to themself at will, with experience.

Peak sensitivity may manifest at birth or later on in life, but it is guaranteed to reach peak sensitivity by young adulthood. So, a sensitive individual may go throughout their entire childhood and teenagehood without experiencing a lucid dream or inducing astral projection, but they will once they reach adulthood (18 or older).

Lucid dreaming allows the character to create their own dreams at will, and they are always fully aware when they are dreaming.

Astral projection can be induced at will, allowing one's astral projection to move freely in the world, up to 20m from the body, and allowing one to travel through walls and solid objects. The projection in this form cannot be physically pushed around, harmed or has access to any spells, superpowers or other abilities. 

However, astral forms may be destroyed with magic and certain neuro kinetic superpowers like telekinesis, returning the projectee back into their physical body and requiring them to rest for 24 hours before projecting themself once more.

The projectee cannot manipulate the world in this form beyond soft air currents, like waving their arm to produce a current to move paper or other light objects. They may also dismiss their projection at will, including their projection if it is summoned by another person or entity.

Those sensitive to etherial magic can also force another person or sentient entity to fall asleep or induce their astral projection from touch, like tapping a target’s shoulder. In addition to this, they may also force and hop into the dreams of others, depending on their experience.

Projected targets will need to succeed a DC18 check to return to their body.

Sharing dreams can be strange for those unfamiliar with the experience. In this state, all those sharing dreams can manipulate it if they’re aware they can.

Characters automatically gain the ‘Dreaming’ specialisation that starts at Novice at character creation and does not take up a specialisation slot. This specialisation can only be taught between characters sensitive to etherial magic.

Inducing sleep or astral projection in a target is based on experience, and in combat, the specialisation is treated as a combat specialisation, with higher tiers giving greater bonuses.

In both non-combat and combat situations, the potential of those sensitive to etherial magic grows with their experience.

Tier: Novice

Abilities: Induce sleep and/or astral projection in a target via touch in 4 rounds. Requires 4 rounds to induce astral projection in self. Requires touch with a target to share dreams. 

Their personal projection can move 4m from their body.

Tier: Trained

Abilities: Induce sleep and/or astral projection in a target via touch in 4 rounds. Requires 3 rounds to induce astral projection in self. Requires standing within 2m to targets to share dreams. 

Their personal projection can move 8m from their body.

Tier: Skilled

Abilities: Induce sleep and/or astral projection in a target via touch in 3 rounds. Requires 2 rounds to induce astral projection in self. Requires standing within 3m to targets to share dreams. 

Their personal projection can move 11m from their body.

Tier: Expert

Abilities: Induce sleep and/or astral projection in a target via touch in 3 rounds. Requires 2 rounds to induce astral projection in self. Requires standing within 5m to targets to share dreams. 

Their personal projection can move 15m from their body.

Tier: Mastery

Abilities: Induce sleep and/or astral projection in a target via touch in 2 rounds. Requires 1 round to induce astral projection in self. Requires standing within 7m to targets to share dreams. 

Their personal projection can move 20m from their body.

Tiers in Dreaming may be obtained as niche quest rewards where it can be reasonably applied in a quest, such as using it to subdue another person, and is usually referred to as a combat spec.