Spirit Healing

Spirit Healing is one of the most difficult magic's to learn in Thedas and is specialised in by a rare few. Often those with an affinity for the spirit and creation schools of magic and are Fade Beacons (magical talent) are best placed to be spirit healers. Indeed, these are the mages who one might say are destined to be such. Sometimes a spirit will be drawn to such a mage, especially if they have the Fade Beacon talent, but unless this mage is taught by a spirit healer (most common within a Circle) then they may never learn how to befriend the spirit properly and thus become a fully fledged spirit healer. Even without training it has been known for some spirits to act and protect the mage without them knowing it or without their permission - both inside of the Fade and out of it. Such is the connection between these types of mages and the Fade they are vulnerable to possession - a spirit uses this, sometimes by protecting the mage from demon possession or by shielding the mage from real danger in the material world.

How the Magic Works

 * This magic is based on friendship. The bond between the mage and the spirit that they befriend in the Fade is how a spirit healer becomes a spirit healer. It is a partnership, the spirit aiding in healing as well as teaching the mage advanced healing they can do without the spirits help.


 * While healing spells do exist, spirit healers are well known for taking healing and restoration far beyond a standard mage’s capabilities. In effect, the spirit healer summons a benevolent spirit through the veil and that spirit uses its abilities on the mage’s behalf. Thus, spirit healers are highly desired in the ranks of the Circle.


 * Essentially the spirit "possesses" the mage when they aid in healing. This is not creating an abomination because the possession is willing and the spirit only wishes to uses the mage and their physical body to heal another. It is benevolent and the spirit always returns to the Fade.

The Spirits
The Circle does recognise that not everything in the Fade is malign and though maleficar will summon demons other magi summon spirits - those that do not feed on the darker side of the psyche. These spirits rarely seek to cross the Veil, but they can be persuaded to protect and even restore life - either by being directly asked or feeling compelled to. How a spirit is befriended varies, but it always begins with contact in the Fade. Some mages speak of feeling "watched" when they awaken, sensing the spirit watching them while they explored the Fade in their dreams.

Becoming a spirit healer is very difficult. To forge a friendship with a spirit a mage must earn their trust. Most spirits will ask that a mage proves their altruism, giving them tasks to perform and succeed in. There are some mages who have said that all it took was persuasion and charisma, that some spirits can be bargained with. Each spirit is different though so each friendship unique. Some mages have also been "chosen" by a powerful spirit and have been propelled into their calling - but only the help of other mortal teachers can lead to mastering the magic that is Spirit Healing. A friendship with the Fade denizen alone does not a spirit healer make.

The most common spirits associated with spirit healing are those of Compassion and Courage, however is has been known for others, such a Faith and Fortitude, to befriend a mage and create a healing partnership.

Fade Lessons

 * Mentor driven - this is achieved using blood or lyrium to send the student into the Fade. Both student and teacher usually enter together and here the mentor teaches the student how to interact with spirits and how to navigate the Fade. This is important because only a mentor can teach how to tell the difference between Spirits and Demons. The most common way a mage who has an affinity with spirits becomes an abomination is because they were tricked by a demon and possessed. Without successful fade training with a mentor the mage will most likely not progress and become a fully fledged spirit healer.


 * Spirit driven - the spirit itself can draw the mage into the Fade, or once the mage is there and conscious can teach them personally - just as a demon might teach a mage blood magic.

Non Fade Lessons

 * This is purely Mentor driven and involves intense study, discussion and practise (of mental defences) as well as teaching about the importance of sleep, dreams and healthy eating. The physical drain and impact on the body is best supported in the environment of a Circle. It is why the Dalish have lost much of their lore regarding this magic, they have been wandering and that nomad existence makes it difficult for elvhen mages to be able to train as a spirit healer.

Only Taught in the Circle
The line between friendship and alliance - and possession - is very thin though and only the Circle believes it can walk it. It is a very valuable magic, which is why the Chantry seeks to control it and thus control the mages who have this ability and can be trained, and are trained, in this magic. Some Swords argue that spirit healers are possessed when they heal and during the war spirit healers were made tranquil or executed in Circles such as Ostwick, such was the fear of their magic and the line they walked.

The kind of spirits who are drawn to mages are the curious kind and the type whom the Chantry deem "Benevolent". It is this that makes Spirit Healing "legal" in the Chantry since it is deemed a gift of the Maker for "Magic exists to serve man" and they believe this is exactly what spirit healers and their spirits do. Only under these conditions is is allowed to be taught.

It is not known if it was the hunting of spirit healers outside of the Circle or if the magic was created or discovered first in the Circle, but this speciality is rare outside of the Circle and the most popular form of it, the most notable types of spells and methods, appear to be rooted in the Circle born magic. This is not to say that an equivalent is not present elsewhere. Indeed, amongst the natives or barbarians of various lands and in the Imperium and Arlathan this magic existed and in some cases continues to exist. However, because of the power of the Chantry and it's sponsorship of this magic its version has thrived and spread.

It is a controversial magic and is often a part of the political discourse with the Chantry and others.

Limitations

 * Being a spirit healer is DANGEROUS. When a mage contacts a spirit they draw attention onto themselves. For those born as Fade Beacons this is a burden they have lived with their entire lives, having to fight off mental invasions and potential possessions from demons. It is common for Fade Beacons to attract the attentions of extremely powerful demons, but in return they attract powerful spirits too - who protect those they see potential in. It must be noted that Fade Beacon is a talent most commonly seen in elves and occasionally in the elf blooded - but very rarely in humans. Similarly, contact with the Fade is more easily achieved for elves, though they have lost much of their lore concerning the Fade they have not lost their abilities - for the most part.


 * A spirit healer can be fooled by a demon pretending to be a spirit and convince them into summoning them into the mortal realm


 * There is more danger of a spirit healer being tricked into letting down their mental defences to allow the demon access, the demon masquerading as a spirit and the mage tired, untrained or simply fooled.


 * Hours a day and night must be spent in heightening their vigilance, creating mental defences. This lasts for the rest of their lives and few choose it, few desire it and few can handle it.

Weaknesses

 * Susceptible to madness - pressure on the mind, hearing voices they do not recognise or know to be spirits,, and general stress that weakens the body and mind all lead to potential insanity.


 * More likely to be possessed (by spirits and demons) and therefore made tranquil or killed.


 * Lack of concentration in other things.


 * Unable to focus on learning other things, including other magic. Usually limited to only one kind of magic, most mages seem to be drawn to creation or spirit schools.


 * A huge strain on mental defences and need to be vigilant in keeping them strong.


 * Lack of sleep and resulting cognitive impairments


 * Physical weariness and weakness due to insomnia


 * Lack of appetite and a lot of potential fatigue


 * Intense pressure from the Circle and constantly watched, especially in early training and when a master. Trainees are feared for their potential to be possessed and masters are feared (by Templars mainly) for their power.

Relationship to Blood Magic
These two magic's are two ends of the same scale;

Similarities

 * Fade Beacons and those with an affinity for spirit magic are more likely to become either a blood mage or spirit healer.


 * Possession is involved in both specialisations


 * Both involve Fade denizens.


 * Summoning can be done by Spirit Healers and Blood Mages.

Differences

 * Blood magic does not have to be taught by a demon, but you NEED a spirit for spirit healing.


 * Each magic is as powerful as the other, though their applications and uses differ greatly.


 * Blood mages can fraternise and be empowered by more than one demon (though not usually at the same time) whereas a spirit healer befriends only one spirit.


 * Where a blood mage can inflict a lot of damage a spirit healer and heal a great amount of damage, but BOTH can have the same potential for summoning a powerful fade denizen.

Origins of Spirit Healing
As with most magic the roots of spirit healing is with the Elves. However, their lore was lost with the fall of Arlathan and any they had recovered was lost again when they were thrust out of the Dales. Recent findings amongst the Clans in Ostagar in conjunction with Circle teachings may have led to the rediscovery of elvhen spirit magic, but what it consists of and how it manifests amongst the elves is still unknown. That is involves healing is known though.

The Tevinter Imperium has a form of Spirit Healing, but again it has evolved in line with the Black Chantry. It is not believed to be as powerful as the blood magic that is rife in Tevinter (though not openly allowed of course!) many blood mages say they are actually summoning spirits. In truth the true practice of spirit healing lays a few masters - three of them magisters. It is a rare speciality in the Imperium and those who master it are both questioned and looked upon with wary eye.

Amongst the Tribes and Clans throughout Thedas (such as the Rivaini tribes, the Avvar and Chasind of Ferelden and the barbarians upon the Anderfel steppes) this magic is somewhat rare and not similar to that which is taught in Circles. The shaman summon both spirits and demons, though their reasons are as mysterious as the Wilders themselves. The Circle has no proof nor real belief that the Wilders do this so they have thus far not been hunted as relentlessly as they might have been. Spirit Healing is a very sacred thing and not often performed since any magic from Twilight is deemed to be divine and therefore the shaman has been "touched of the gods". This sometimes results in the shaman being entombed to be preserved by Korth because of their ability. The Avvar are simply not comfortable with their gods having human avatars nor walking amongst them. Magic is sacred to the Wilders and they do not use it in the same manner as a Circle. Each spell is an act of the gods and both shaman and Avvar believe as much.

The current style of Spirit Healing is an amalgamation of what came before it, the Chantry taking whatever was known and forging it into something that suited their owns purposes. The art of healing and restoration is Maker given and those who are blessed with the talent and master it are deemed worthy teachers and mages, and watched "for their own protection".

There is no doubt that spirit healing and the understanding of it will continue to evolve and the Chantry and Elves are likely to play a huge part in that in the future.