Secrets of The Tether, the use of indices and how they work
The world of the Tether is very similar to our own, up is up and down is down, there is just something scratching at the reality of it. The Tether is a gritty fantasy action adventure and magic, after a fashion does exist. It comes from a mysterious source that the creatures of the Tether come from, and can only be accessed using a device or being near those that have a link to it. Spells that shape the flow of the source are called indices, special latin verses that direct the power to the desired effect.
Primarily indices are driven by devices, like the Tether, but it may also be a bracelet, ring, necklace, or an amulet, or series of linked objects. Without a device a caster cannot channel energy from the source, with the exception of source creatures which are connected at all times at one degree or the other; or those whose annius (soul) are attuned to it. If a caster does not have a device, but is near a link to the source they too can cast Indices, using runes and or sigils drawn on the skin.
A fine example of this is in the extract from below when CT casts an indice for the first time around Sarah.
With one final effort, they got to the other end of the bridge and the stranger turned to face to mini-crab horde. He stood just in front of Sarah and pulled his jacket arm up to reveal odd looking markings on his forearm that looked like a series of squiggly lines. Holding his marked arms before him the stranger stepped towards the crab-creatures.
"Tego texi tectum paries", he said his face suddenly strained with effort, the markings glowed, and started to burn with a fierce light. Unperturbed the crab-creatures kept scuttling towards them.
"TEGO TEXI TECTUM PARIES", he repeated the words echoing with an inner strength, the light surrounded his arm, and then with audible pop and the sudden smell of ozone, the light blasted forward to encase the inside of the bridge and swept over the mass of Scuttlers, disintegrating the creatures as it touched them. Before forming a visible golden barrier which the crab-creatures threw themselves at despite the fact the burning light made them pop like rotten eggs.
Sarah just stared open mouthed and didn't register that the stranger had fallen to his knees, his head sagging with the effort of producing the light.
"Hey you okay?" she called out to him.
"Yeah…" he said breathing heavily. "Only ever done that in practice, and never produced a light shield as big, or as powerful as that before."
He turned and looked at Sarah and grinned, "But I've never been that close to such a powerful source before, you must have a remarkable will, it burns brighter than my Gramps ever did."
Sarah looked at him puzzled before catching a glimpse of the markings on the strangers arm, for a moment they seemed to be glow white hot, before fading from his skin leaving a red raw mark.
As you can tell from reading that the use of indices in this reality is a painful experience and can exhaust the caster. Imagine sticking your hand in an electrical socket and then channeling the power through your body, while using your willpower to bend it to your design. It is hard, bringing this unnatural power into any reality and it takes a considerable effort to do. Even the most powerful of entities must rest themselves if they over reach themselves, and after a while must link themselves to those who have a powerful annius (or soul). To be frank the use and effect of source energy is very environmental it makes hair stand on end, brings up goosebumps, it's like being inside a huge ball of static and that is earthing through you.
Indices, are controlled by latin in verse, for example.
Tego Texi Tectum Paris literally means casting light
The words form the enchantment/indice, the words are the power, with that casters will channeling the energy behind it. Indices and their use are not the norm in the world of the Tether, it is powerful, unpredictable, is not a cure all and recommended to be used sparingly.
One thing to note, casting any indice is like sending up a flare that can be seen by any other source creature on both sides of the Tether reality, or those that are attuned to it and can attract unwanted attention.
