Name: Aetheric Ink, Mana Inscription Description: Aetheric Ink is a softly glowing, iridescent fluid metapharmaceutical which seems to shift between various blue and purple hues. It is applied exclusively in the form of tattoos of any shape across segments of the body. When applied to a psionic individual, the hue of the ink changes to that of their Flux. Abilities: Flux Battery: The primary benefit of Aetheric Ink is the ability to function as a sink for a psionic individual’s Flux, allowing them a greater capacity than normal. For every region of the body it is applied to, their overall capacity increases by 5%; the exception is the torso, which provides an increase of 10% as it has a larger surface area. Cuil Resistance: Aetheric Ink provides some benefit beyond an enhancement for psionic individuals as a way to resist Cuils to a degree. For every two regions of the body with tattoos, an individual requires one additional level of Cuils before they begin to suffer adverse effects. Conditional Abilities: Psionic Susceptibility: For every region of the body Aetheric Ink is applied to, psionic abilities used upon the bearer cost 1% less Flux to apply. An individual does not get this benefit when using an ability on themselves. Certain abilities such as Wave (which affect the user, not the target) and abilities that affect an area such as Stasis, do not gain this benefit. Flow Reaction: The glow of Aetheric Ink gradually brightens in response to heightened ECF, as the level of Anomalous Flow has increased in the area. Limitations: Coverage: Aetheric Ink must be applied in an expansive manner across a given part of a body for any benefit to be provided. There are six regions across an individual where the ink can be applied, each additional one granting further benefits: The head, torso, and each limb. Generally, these tattoos cover a large portion of that region of the body, making it somewhat difficult to conceal them. Dissonant Existence: While Aetheric Ink provides great benefit to psionic individuals, and those who find themselves in areas of high ECF, there are downsides to extensive coverage. For every two regions of the body where the ink is applied, an individual begins to suffer adverse effects in lowered Cuils. The closer a bearer is to zero, the more severe the effect. These will be elaborated on below the Category section of the application. Conditional Limitations: Psionic Susceptibility: For every region of the body Aetheric Ink is applied to, psionic abilities used upon the bearer cost 1% less Flux to apply. An individual does not get this benefit when using an ability on themselves. Certain abilities such as Wave (which affect the user, not the target) and abilities that affect an area such as Stasis, do not gain this benefit. Flux Beacon: Regardless of if an individual is psionic, when viewed under Cuilsight while applied to an individual, Aetheric Ink appears bright enough to immediately become obvious. Even though armor or clothing. Emitter: The ink itself is a minor Cuil emitter, and someone it is applied to becomes a minor Cuil emitter themselves. Awakened Mind: Individuals with psionics face a unique risk with application of the ink; they find themselves far more susceptible to the involuntary manifestation of psychic disorders. Ink Loss: If fifty percent of the Aetheric Ink across a portion of the body is lost, be it from dismemberment or removal, that region no longer provides any benefit. How does it work: Aetheric Ink is a compound substance primarily made up of mana, crisaria sap, and starsugar along with a plethora of more mundane ingredients. Functionally, starsugar primarily acts as a stabilizing element to the mixture, while also ensuring that the substance itself is rendered non-hazardous to the body. Meanwhile, the crisaria sap and the mundane elements are used to alter the properties of mana to provide additional functionality; the ability to draw in and store a minor amount of Flux akin to octarine and octiron, with the benefit of allowing it to retain its identity. A side effect of the alteration of mana however, causes it to redirect the local Flow to a minute degree- leading to a small level of protection from Cuils. Once completed, the ink simply needs to be applied to the body for it to function. If a bearer is psionic, their Flux will naturally drift into the ink and settle until needed. Flavor text: “Do not claim what you cannot carry. Do not refuse what is yours because you would rather be small and safe.” The use of Aetheric Ink is sporadic; its existence is naught but a whisper unless one knows where, or how, to look. But once that knowledge is gained, they begin to see it in unexpected places; mercenaries and priests, doctors and criminals, all hinting at a shared connection. Be it one of more esoteric origin, a tie to organizations best left in the dark, or merely one of circumstance. Referenced Technologies: https://galactic-citizen.com/threads/crisaria-sap.3085/ https://lore.galactic-citizen.com/en/technology/materials/anomalous_materials/mana https://lore.galactic-citizen.com/en/species/bestiary/starsugar Attainability: Semi-Closed (The knowledge and ingredients required to create Aetheric Ink are not commonplace; typically the only way to source it is to interact with a group capable of manufacturing metapharmaceuticals, or some form of religious organization with a history of psionics. Certain organic species with inherent psionics, or a history of utilizing psionics, may have the knowledge as well.) Tags: [Civilian] Category: Other
