Wish Magic

Intro

Uzumaki was born with an attunement to a world beyond this one. He has an ability to commune with what are assumed to be spirits from another realm. They have refused to give him their name so Uzumaki simply calls them his hauntings. Though quiet at first, they have always been whispering to the equine, tugging at the back of his mind in attempts to guide him to their will. They hold great power, but are forced to act through a vessel, that being Uzumaki. Their magic manifests through wishes, specifically Uzu’s, and are bound by the words “I wish…” that grant them access to affecting this world. These wishes are his to make but the hauntings hold the power to grant them. These spirits are not kind nor caring, and often malevolent and sadistic, though some choose to disguise their nature in order to lure Uzumaki into a false security.

Every wish has a price, whatever is chosen is used to feed the hauntings’ power. They hunger for more, constantly whispering – or even screaming, to the terrified equine to make even just a simple wish to gain more power.

The Hauntings

Appearance

Uzumaki’s spirits take on a variety of appearances based upon their individual will and nature. The common tie between them is that they all have an unsettling aura that accompanies their presence. Even the most “natural” ones have something wrong about them. They always have a hazy or dreamlike appearance, not seeming to be affected by real planes of existence or rules of reality.

Some appear to be made of light, blinding and blurred. However, this is not the warm and familiar kind of light found in reality, but a cold and hostile light that makes your heart drop the moment you look at it. Some are hazy shadowy figures, a darkness no light can shine through or illuminate. Then there are those that fall in the middle, always appearing uncanny and otherworldly.

Natures

These spirits are tied to Uzumaki, without his breath they cannot interact with reality. Though they channel their power through him, they cannot fully possess him – or at least one would hope. While channeling his mind grows weaker and more hazy, making it easier to influence Uzu. They wish for him to live as he is their only tie to this world

The hauntings often interact through Uzumaki in his head though whispers. Some sing, some speak, some scream. Rarely do they ever speak to him in groups; they are not fond of each other. Though, a few always appear in small groups such as The Hounds. Their voices are warbled and echoey. When spirits to speak to him in multitude, it is deeply overwhelming to Uzumaki. On occasion many occasions spirits will appear to him visually. No others can see them except himself unless they possess some sort of telepathic ability.

Though they seem to be constrained by no rules of this reality, they must obey their own natures. They are bound by contracts; by words, and by wishes. Language is the thread they weave in order to manipulate. Most desire neither “good” nor “evil”, only power, no matter its source. Every breath every movement is energy, every heartbeat and thought is force. They never give without taking. They are not friends, no matter how honied their words are.

While the spirits themselves do not obey this reality, their wishes granted must comply with reality. They cannot summon a creature that doesn’t exist in this plane, nor a creature that exists in another plane. They cannot exceed the abilities of this world’s magic, be it from mages or otherwise. A wish cannot bring them directly into this reality, nor take any creature into their own.

Abilities

The Ethereal Sight

Due to Uzumaki’s ties with this other reality, his eyes can see through the veils between these two worlds. This ghostly plane often bleeds into Uzu’s own reality due to the constant connection with these spirits. The effects of these bleeds are similar to that of seeing the spirits themselves: hazy and dreamlike. At most times, these bleeds are minimal; a small instance in reality that looks unnatural. However, when communing with a spirit/spirits to grant a wish, Uzumaki’s connection to this other world grows; greatly effecting his perception. Due to the constant bleeds into his reality, Uzumaki has a hard time telling the difference between what is real and what isn’t.

Basic Wish Magic

With the aid of his connection to spirits, Uzumaki can grant wishes. He is only able to grant his own wishes, however, others can ask Uzu to make a wish for them. At present he has likely never made a wish for another. At current he is able to grant wishes with a small area of effect. His wish cannot grant an effect to more than one creature. He cannot manifest permanent lasting effects to another, so he cannot grant wishes of death. Certain wishes can have a temporary effect on another’s mood or emotions, but only last for short amounts of time. If one wishes for rain, he cannot summon a storm but perhaps a very small and peculiar cloud that disappears after some time. Only desperate wishes with higher prices can have stronger effect, but at his current level of ability these are incredibly rare and are uncontrollable. Not every wish will be granted fully, as the spirits can be fickle or limited at times. If a wish is not specific undesired results will likely occur. Selfish and emotionally charged wishes made by himself have the strongest effect and often worse consequences.

Some wishes are strictly illusionary to the wisher, often granted by weaker spirits. Say if one had bread and wished for cake, a spirit can manipulate a creature’s perceptions into seeing and tasting cake while still simply eating bread. These wishes have a chance at creating greater illusions that effect more people’s perceptions, but for now it is very limited to smaller objects and a singular creature’s perception. These illusions can break if a creature’s mind is strong enough. These illusionary wishes are always made by Uzu with the expectation for them to be real and are often a cheap trick used by weaker spirits to gain more power. Their lack of reality can usually only be revealed by another creature when these wishes are affecting Uzumaki.

His magic is not specialized in fortune telling or prophecy; he cannot grant insight to the future nor can he see into the past. He cannot speak to the dead or summon spirits from a different plane than the one he is attuned to. His wishes manifest in his own reality, he cannot make use of another. He also cannot directly control another creature, merely make them susceptible to suggestion or shift their mood. His wishes cannot cause great direct injury on another. It will either result in the mere simulation of pain, or at a greater cost make small cuts that heal quickly. His wishes may be able to be used to enhance another mage’s abilities, but not when it comes to spirit working.

Wish Granter

Unlocked
After growing his ability to focus and connect to a spirit’s energy, Uzumaki’s wishes will grow in power, granting them a higher area of effect. He is able to affect multiple creatures at once, a larger portion of an environment, or multiple objects. The effects of his wish can last up to several weeks when affecting environments or objects and up to a few days when affecting others of Ivras.

Eternal Manifestation

Unlocked with + power
After growing his ability to focus and connect to a spirit’s energy, Uzumaki can permanently manifest a wish into reality. This ability is more attuned to creating objects out of thin air, but can effect another of Ivras with enough power. This power could also add permanent enhancements to say a garment. While still an incredible rarity as well as a great physical and mental chore, Uzumaki can create a fixed occurrence in reality. This requires communing with particularly powerful spirits with the cost being sometimes devastating. These wishes are the hardest to focus, and the words must be flawless and intentions specific to avoid disaster. Without proper discipline this power can be disastrous.

Beyond the Bleed

Unlocked
With a greater understanding of how the spirits communicate, appear, and deal, Uzumaki is able to focus on communing with a particular spirit or spirits, as well as more clearly see into their plane in his search, navigating it through his mind. Since some spirits have particular abilities and others greater power, seeking a specific spirit for a wish will aid in having the intended result desired by Uzu. The bleeds into reality become more distinct to him, causing him less confusion, however, they grow larger in size and frequency as he indulges in the realm’s power.

Controlled Cost

Unlocked with + discipline
With a greater understanding of how the spirits communicate, appear, and deal, Uzumaki is able to better direct what the spirits take in return for a wish. He is able to understand their trick of tongue and better able to manipulate them into deals that avoid detrimental harm to others. Spirits are naturally vexed by this, but are bound by his words as well as their own due to their own nature.

Costs

Vessel Impairment

When making a wish, Uzumaki’s senses become dulled to reality as he focuses on the spirit. The two realities bleed together in his head and he has trouble distinguishing the differences. He often experiences hazy vision, dizziness, and heart palpitations when communing, as well as a feeling of a lack of control during the granting of the wish as the spirits power is channeled through him. His limbs grow sluggish and numb and his hearing is dulled.

Hazy Mind

When wishing, Uzumaki’s frame of mind is shaken due to his sense of reality being muddled along with more direct contact with a spirit both mental and physical. This will lead him to seem removed and distant as his mind recovers from communing. He is easy to startle in this state and the stress of it drains him mentally.

Ethereal Hunger

Every wish has its price. Every spirit hungers. The cost, at current, is completely decided by the spirit granting the wish. The price is not tied to the wish, and can be anything of value. More powerful spirits are more greedy in their prices, and thus wishing is avoided by Uzu. As it is taken at the whim of a spirit, the sacrifice can be brutal. The effects of a taking are not tied to Uzumaki’s power level, so it can cause a great deal of harm. The more power the wish needs, the greater the sacrifice. Common costs are blood and pain, life force and physical health, mental health – causing haunted nightmares or insomnia, physical objects of personal importance, and materials or relics with inherent magical properties or importance (either from nature or another creature). These things can either be taken from Uzumaki or another creature (though blood and life essence is least commonly taken from Uzu, as the spirits need him to survive to continue growing in power). However, the cost must be taken from Uzu or someone/something physically close to Uzu.Neither a wish nor a cost can effect a creature or object far away from Uzumaki. He must be near for the wish’s effects to take place. If he is too far a sacrifice will not be returned and the effects will be dulled or null. A sacrifice can be taken from the same building or location Uzumaki is in, but not a nearby town or location. The effects of a sacrifice might not be seen immediately, so regret does not always immediately manifest. A wish set in the future will likely have an effect in the future when the wish is enacted after it is forgotten.

Extras

Sparkle Horse

His magical ability shines through his coat, changing his once pure creamello coat to one painted with pinks and reds. A soft sort of powder also occasionally dusts his coat and wings. They interact with light in a strange way that makes him sparkle. This dust does nothing except perhaps make one sneeze. It is unknown if this dust can be used in magical practice or is just There.

One Permanent Wish

Only once has Uzu been able to manifest something permanent through a wish, and that was his wings. The wings on his back are a constant reminder of that tragic event, and a reminder to never slip, lest another disaster occur. These wings are unusable for flight as they are too small and frail.

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Summary

Uzumaki was born into a noble family obsessed with power and prestige. Being the first mage born into the House of Ito for generations put a lot of pressure on the colt to preform exceptionally in magic. But when he fails to show any signs of magical talent, his parents become cold, distant, and resentful of the foal. Whispers constantly lingered at the back of the foal’s mind as he tried desperately to gain the approval of those around him. Unbeknownst to him, Uzumaki possessed a sort of wish magic tied to the spirits that appeared to him. During his growth he made several little wishes, seemingly harmless and naturally occurring. Until one day in his tweens he made a wish that changed the course of his life – and his body – forever. With fresh trauma and new wings on his back, his family sent him off to Namarast to hone his abilities. However, the constant distress at using his abilities caused him to flee the city before he could take on an apprenticeship. He now wanders the country, exhausted and unable to return home but unsure where to go next.

Childhood

The House of Ito and the Manor Black

The Manor Black, an estate just outside the skirts of Faline, was home to the house of Ito; a name tied to great wealth and fortune, a family desperate for legacy and power. The estate spans across several hundred acres and was host to many extravagant parties and events. Guests were constantly passing; nobles, political figures, and artists of renown routinely passed through the manor gates. The manor house seemed to have endless rooms that flaunted the family’s wealth with walls full of golden accents and lavish paintings. It almost seemed like a palace.

The House of Ito had built their wealth mostly through merchantry and marriage. Their ties with the House of Black aided them in rising in political popularity. They are not the highest ranking in nobility, but still hold vast amounts of money in their coffers. Despite their current high status, the House of Ito continues to claw at more power. Their legacy is of greatest importance to them, not only in wealth and political power, but magical renown as well. However, fate was not aligned with their desires. Not a single fledged mage was born to their bloodline for generations. Not since the great Shunsuke, the most powerful – and perhaps only – mage to grace the line of Ito. He was the pride of their house and the establisher of their legacy. But every generation failed to reproduce his magical prowess. Not a hint of magic was seen in their blood for years. They were simply… Ordinary. That was until the birth of Uzumaki.

Empty Halls
Parental Neglect

Despite the ever-shifting guests and parties at the manor, its halls were predominantly empty aside from its staff and the Lord and Lady. A few family members stayed at the manor for a few seasons at a time, but never took up any permanent residence. Not a single child’s laughter echoed through the endless halls. The rooms lay empty, simply displays for the family’s wealth. Their lack of children wasn’t due to a lack of trying on their part. What noble family would choose to forgo heirs, especially one so obsessed with legacy. For years the Lord and Lady struggled to produce a child. There grew whispers in the halls; rumors of the Lady being barren, and the Lord was to take on a second wife. They sought out mages and potion workers to grant them fertility, and eventually, by some miracle, the Lady finally fell pregnant. Extravagant parties were thrown by the family in celebration of the coming foal. This was their miracle child, envisaged to be strong in body and power. Excitement fluttered the hearts of every resident of the manor. There were visits and gifts from family, friends, and nobility alike.

When the time of the foal’s birth came, it was clear that since the womb there was a sign he was destined to inherit his ancestor’s legacy. A shining spiraling horn sprouted from his forehead and each of his feet, sure signs of a mage. He was given the name of Uzumaki. But their delight dwindled to disenchantment. For instead of a strong and strapping foal, they received a timid and shaking colt, frail and feeble. The midwives and doctors were unsure he would survive for long. The foal was mainly left to the care of the doctors, his parents returned to busying themselves, only visiting him to be updated on his health. Uzu was nursed by midwives instead of his own mother. Eventually, the foal improved in health, though it was still fragile.

Desperate to produce a mage, Uzumaki’s parents started his studies at a very early age. Along with the usual lessons in etiquette and artistry commonplace in a noble’s education, Uzumaki was schooled by various mage tutors at the manor. The foal was tasked with constant lessons and readings, only having an occasional break of free time. He had a passion for the harp and watercolor. He was provided with servants and a comfortable room with numerous toys and trinkets, so long as he was dutiful in his studies. His every need was catered to by the staff. He was provided with many books, instruments, toys, and pets. He was allowed to stroll through the gardens in his free time under an escort. He was a distant and quiet child, seeming to always to be mumbling to himself.

Uzumaki was always desperate to impress his increasingly distant parents, though he could never quite meet their expectations. Though he excelled in artistry and reading, his magical studies were not delivering any of the results his parents were looking for. His parents were often absent from the manor, and when they were there, they nearly entirely ignored their disappointment of an heir, only seeing him at the occasional dinner or when he would wander into their presence.

Whispers | Ages 1-8
Parental Neglect Minor Abuse

As the foal grew, something else grew with him. It started the day he was born; faint whispering ticked his ear, indistinct and muffled. At most times it was hardly noticeable. As he aged the whisperings grew more distinct, until it formed a quiet voice. It picked at the back of his mind constantly. Uzumaki, naturally, made a habit of conversing with it. He was a lonely child with no siblings or friends to play with. His main company was books and tutors, neither of which made for particularly pleasant company. But the voices, they would talk to him like he was really there. To the staff he was a mere ward, to his parents he was a burden. His parents often ignoring his presence entirely, or striking him for his attempts at gaining their attention. It started off with one voice. it was cold and sharp, but still a comfort to the foal. It spoke to him about all the things he liked, and all the things he wanted. Sometimes it would appear to him, a strange and hazy figure of a cat with many eyes. Its presence would seem to alter his perceptions, and soon it would happen regardless of its company. Whenever he would tell the maids about it, they simply shrugged him off, telling him to stop playing pretend. His silly little imaginary friend wasn’t real. He began to really believe they weren’t real. His lessons told him nothing of the experiences he was having, they mainly focused on the more common gifts – ones his parents particularly desired him to mold into – such as pyromancy, potion brewing, hydrokinesis, shadowmancy, flora manipulation, telekenisis, and transmutation. He did not bring it up with his professors, as he feared more ridicule.

As he continued to speak with him, they offered things in exchange. “Anything he wanted.” Being a child he wouldn’t ask for much; perhaps a new toy or a piece of candy. These wishes slipped from his mind without much thought. When he was sick, he wished he was better. When he wished for the attention of his parents it was like they were put under a momentary spell, and just for a few moments they saw him. They spoke to him. Uzumaki thrilled at this, not understanding why it was happening but still enjoying it. It all seemed normal, like a game of pretend. But soon things started going missing and maids were getting sick or having nightmares. There would be little accidents on occasion just after Uzu had made a wish, but no one could figure out why. Nothing about the foal seemed to change, he had no physical marks of magical power. He kept quietly playing this little “game” of wishes with the spirits. With time more came to him, urging him to make more.

Hazescape | Ages 9-11
Depersonalization Dissociation Minor Abuse

As Uzumaki indulged more in conversations with these voices, he grew more distant to others. Speaking with them and making wishes made him feel like he was in a haze constantly. He would see and hear the voices that haunted him both in is dreams and out. It felt like the bleeds between his dreams, reality, and the beyond were growing, making it hard for him to distinguish what was real or not. The fact that he was actively ignored by his parents and some staff did not help him, and in fact made it worse. He often experienced a feeling of being a ghost or the world not being real. As he felt more distant from the people around him, he found himself seeking the company of the voices, which in turn made his mind feel more and more hazy. He did not mind this, however, and nor did anyone else. At least he had someone to talk to that would not dismiss him anymore. He would often spend time roaming the grounds in a sort of daze.

When in distress he would often retreat into his mind, making him vulnerable to suggestions by the voices. Often, he would be struck by his tutors and parents out of frustration or be bullied and scolded by a maid. He frequently pretended to be somewhere else in his mind to cope, living with his spirit “friends.” This caused him to fall in his studies, provoking more ire from his parents and tutors.

Clipped Wings | Age 12
Animal (Bird) Death and Violence

One spring morning on the manor grounds, Uzumaki was strumming his harp in the aviary. It was one of his favorite places to be, with birds of all sorts cooing and chirping along with his notes. He watched them dart across the aviary with delight, observing how their wings spread and folded to catch the air. As he plucked his harp strings, a voice crept into Uzu’s mind, one he had never heard speak to him before. It was distorted, like there were many speaking at once, snarling and barking its words. They were nearly overpowering. However, this did not startle him very much as he was used to hearing strange voices. They noted his music, but soon turned his attention to the birds he was watching. Uzumaki naturally poured out his thoughts to the voices, talking about his love for the creatures and his fascination with their flight. He pointed out his favorite ones by name. The words suddenly fluttered across his mind: I wish I could fly like them.

| “Your wish is our command, Little Prince.” |

Uzumaki’s chest filled with excitement, but it suddenly dropped like a rock had plunged down his throat. His hearing grew muffled, but he could still hear the screeches. His eyesight grew hazy, but he could still see the crimson sticky puddles pooling at his hooves. His limbs felt heavy and numb, his mind swimming in panic and horror. He watched as every bird in the flock had its wings ripped from its body. Just behind his shoulders he felt a burning pain. Flesh and feathers were being built on his back with every bird’s felling. He stood shaking and frozen. He tried to scream but the words only burned through his mind. He desperately asked the voices to stop but it was too late, but his pleas were ignored. All the colt could do was sob. The voices were enraged at his lack of gratitude, their snarls cutting through his thoughts. In their rage they left Uzu’s mind, taking the wings of each bird and leaving him with a small pair of wings trembling and heavy on his back. Uzumaki collapsed as he faintly heard the horrified screams of a maid who had stumbled onto the scene.

His mind still muddled, he watched as several individuals rushed into the aviary, his father at the forefront of the crowd. A dread struck his heart as he watched the Lord of Ito enter the room. He expected him to be enraged at the sight of his prized collection dead at his feet. But instead, he was greeted with utter delight. There was a horrible glint in his eye as he witnessed the results of Uzu’s power before him. Finally, proof he would live up to his family’s name. He spoke to the foal with warm admiration for the first time he could remember. But Uzu was too shaken in terror to appreciate them. This was not how he wanted to earn his father’s favor. Suddenly all the accidents in the past made sense to him. Suddenly he was filled with fear of the voices in his head for the first time, as well as of his father who took a sick pleasure in this. His father questioned his power and Uzumaki numbly explained it all, still staring at the crimson on the floor. The Lord scolded him for not telling him earlier but was too delighted at seeing his display of power to be angry for long. It was then and there he decided he should finally be sent to Namarast to hone his newly discovered abilities.

Adolescence

The Deep Well | Ages 13-16
Depersonalization

Uzumaki was escorted to Namarast after a brief farewell. His mind was consumed with thoughts of the previous event and the rattling of spirits every step of the journey. The trip seemed endlessly long with nothing to occupy his shaken mind. Once at Namarast Uzu was thrown into a crowded and social setting he was ill prepared to handle. The constant shuffling of hooves, students gossiping, and teachers lecturing was far different from his quiet and controlled environment at the manor.

The constant stress to preform well and his inability to cope with what his powers had done led to Uzumaki isolating himself as his mental health plummeted. His attempts at making friends all failed due to his constant fearing for their safety around him. He promised himself he would not use his power and kept the knowledge of what it was to himself as best he could. However, his resilience was untrained, causing him to constantly slip out a wish, which was so common a habit in his younger years. As his power grew from accidental use, his coat’s faint pinks deepened in color and shone more brilliantly.

He began to crack under the pressure he felt, wishing for isolation and quiet. His slip ups led to various “accidents” to those around him. However, his wishes led to him being able to spend a lot of time alone in the quiet, leading him to lose himself in a false reality when not at classes. The loneliness he felt at the manor was amplified here, and he ended up talking to his hauntings more than his peers. His mind grew hazier to reality as he continued to indulge in conversations with them. Their voices were almost comforting in his loneliness. With his power growing, the bleeds he saw grew more present and more frequent. Days began to blur, and he had trouble determining what was a dream, what was reality, and what was magical. As he aged his performance in his studies dipped as he continued to draw into himself. He tried to ignore the consequences of his wishes of isolation, but the guilt and anxiety he felt always lingered on his shoulders.

Breaking Point | Age 17

As the time to choose an apprenticeship approached, Uzumaki’s anxiety worsened. He dreaded the thought of growing his power and working with a professor in any capacity. It was more than he could handle. Even the image of his parents gazing proudly at him could not keep him in the city any longer. He planned his “escape” from Namarast with a rattled mind, leading him to unintended confrontations. Desperate to leave as quickly as possible, Uzumaki began to make various wishes without much thought on the consequences or who was taking each wish. He managed to stumble out of the city, his mind a complete fog and limbs numb. He wandered around for a few days in a haze before collapsing in exhaustion.

Adulthood

Drifter | Ages 17-18

After recovering from his getaway his thoughts cleared. His coat now featured crimsons and pinks and glittered more than ever. He was alone; north of Namarast and somewhat near Mead. He again made a promise to himself to never use his magic again. He steeled himself against his thoughts, pushing back any memory that tried to surface. Uzumaki began slowly learning to pull himself away from the comfort the voices had given him in his adolescence, ignoring their words and suggestions as best he could. He now wanders various trails, unsure of where he is going but sure he cannot return home now – or perhaps ever. He is undoubtably the worst vagabond to walk the paths of Ivras with his highborn background. He struggles to live in any way he deems comfortable but has decided that to be a sort of punishment to himself. Although he tries to live as best as he can with what he has, his spoiled nature and desire for comfort sometimes leads to small breaks to his promise to himself.

Tidbits

What’s a gender?

Uzumaki began struggling with his own identity from a young age. He never felt particularly male, but he didn’t feel like a girl either. He continues to be quite comfortable with he/him but would like to try other pronouns. He is flexible in his presentation, not being very rough and masculine most of the time and enjoys daintier things. However, he has not been able to put a lot of thought towards his identity due to the constant stress of dealing with his magical abilities.

Blooming Regalia

Just before he was sent to Namarast, his father took him to a parlor to commission custom regalia for his time there to flaunt his family’s wealth and status to the city. This time is treasured by Uzumaki as it was the first time his father had really spent time with him. He actually saw and spoke to him. Though the feelings of fear and anxiety somewhat taint the memory, Uzu tries to ignore it and focus on the pride he saw on his father’s face.

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Summary