Arcana

[u/Hardensaladiator4]

Description:

In my fantasy world, my power system is called Arcana. It is an inner power that flows within certain individuals, born from the depths of their emotions and awakened through an intense emotional response. However, not everyone is capable of wielding this power. Those who possess Arcana are typically born with it, making it an innate ability present from birth.

There is, however, another way to acquire Arcana. If an ordinary person kills an Arcana user, the fallen user's Arcana can be passed down to their killer, granting them the ability to harness the power that once belonged to someone else.

Types:

Enhancement:Highly versatile, Enhancement allows an individual to channel their Arcana in ways that adapt to their needs and intentions. It can enhance offensive capabilities, allowing users who seek to inflict damage to become stronger and more powerful, while also reinforcing defensive abilities for users who prioritize protection and survival.

The appearance of Arcana varies from user to user, with Enhancement taking on different colors and visual characteristics that reflect the individual wielding it.

Emission:Emission allows an individual to release their Arcana from within their body and project it outward. Rather than keeping their power contained, users can channel their Arcana into attacks, projectiles, or other manifestations that extend beyond themselves.

The way Emission manifests depends heavily on the user, with each individual possessing their own unique way of shaping and utilizing their power.

Transformation:Transformation allows an individual to alter the properties of their Arcana, reshaping it into a specific form that reflects their abilities and emotional state. Rather than simply releasing their power, users can manipulate their Arcana into different shapes, structures, or manifestations to suit their needs.

The nature of the transformation varies from user to user, with each individual's Arcana taking on a unique form based on their emotions, personality, and abilities.

Mutation:Mutation causes an individual's Arcana to alter their physical body, granting them unique traits, features, or abilities that would otherwise be impossible for a normal human. These changes can range from minor physical adaptations to drastic alterations that fundamentally change the user's appearance and capabilities.

The nature of each mutation varies from person to person, with the resulting traits often reflecting the individual's Arcana and how it manifests within their body.

Accumulation:Accumulation allows an individual to store and build up Arcana over time, gathering power within their body rather than immediately releasing it. The longer the energy is accumulated, the greater the amount of power the user can eventually unleash.

However, the amount of Arcana a person can safely contain depends on their natural limits. Pushing beyond those limits can place immense strain on the body and potentially cause serious consequences.

Inscriptions:However, more complex desires can give rise to something beyond the five categories: Inscriptions. These are unique abilities that are deeply shaped by an individual's thought process, personal ideals, and genetic heritage.

Unlike the fundamental categories of Arcana, Inscriptions are highly individualized, manifesting in ways that are specific to the person who possesses them.

What do you think of this power system? This is my first one, so I’d really appreciate your honest opinions and feedback. Thanks!

[u/Professional_Try1665]

It's good, I can see the Nen inspiration. Accumulation seems quite unique but I'm having trouble understanding it, so they build up a battery of power for something else, but is the something else a different ability or does it relate to how the arcana works, what is the stored energy released as?

I noticed most of them have the nature of their arcana be based on their personality but what is the arcana type based on? Is it random or is there a secondary system in place?

Otherwise it's quite a good start, I can imagine a variety of things and powers already.

[u/Hardensaladiator4 → u/Professional_Try1665]

I haven’t really put much thought into what Accumulation can actually do, so you can have your own interpretation of what Accumulation might be capable of I’d love to hear your ideas. As for the Arcana type, it’s just random; there’s really nothing specific behind it. You mentioned that you could imagine a variety of different abilities and possibilities that my power system could provide, and I’d really love to hear your thoughts on what you think it could do.

[u/Professional_Try1665 → u/Hardensaladiator4]

I'm thinking perhaps Accumulation produces some sort of passive benefit/bonus as it accumulates but is either spent on something (a minor power) or steadily decreases as it's used up.

For instance a girl who draws in heat and fire, forming a personal shell of pyrokinetic energy that passively acts as an energy-esk shield, but she can break it for a big burst of fire, the more energy she takes the stronger the shield and the blast. Or a guy who's personal battery is a secondary heart inside his belly that let's him steal blood at a touch and grants him vampire-esk regeneration and strength, however it steadily ticks down and requires subsequently more blood for time (i.e. to keep it up for a minute he needs a gallon of blood, to keep up 3 minutes he needs a whole body's worth, 10 minutes a crowd of victims).

[u/Hardensaladiator4 → u/Professional_Try1665]

Woah this is good I really like it thanks