Astral (Galaxa)

Astral is one of the three primary magic systems within the Galaxa Universe, embodying the powers of emotion, thought, dream, and psychic resonance. It is drawn from the vast, ever-shifting realm of the Astral Plane (Galaxa), a dimension shaped by consciousness itself.

Astral magic is the most personal and volatile of the systems. It is fueled by the emotional and psychic states of its users, tapping into the raw substance of dreams, fears, hopes, and memories. It is often described as the "magic of the soul."

Source and Nature

The Astral Plane (Galaxa) is a mirror to the Median Plane, but also a canvas painted by the minds and spirits of all sentient beings. Within it, emotions become storms, thoughts become cities, and fears can manifest as monsters.

Astral energy is drawn through:

• Emotive Amplification: Strengthening one's emotional state to focus energy.
• Meditative Resonance: Calming the mind into specific frequencies to access controlled powers.
• Dreamwalking: Navigating the dreamscape consciously to harvest or shape astral matter.

The Astral Plane is highly unstable by nature. Therefore, Astral magic requires not only strength of feeling but also rigorous mental discipline to avoid catastrophic backlash.

Attunement and Sensitivity

Astral attunement tends to occur in species or individuals who are naturally empathetic, emotionally intense, or psychically gifted. Some species, such as the Allarians and Valorèin, have an unusually high number of Astral attuned individuals due to their strong spirit-mind connection.

Signs of Astral sensitivity include:

• Vivid, sometimes prophetic dreams
• Emotional energy projection (e.g., affecting the mood of rooms)
• Subtle psychic phenomena even without formal training

Those not born with Astral attunement are incapable of drawing power from the Astral Plane directly.

Practice and Manifestation

Unlike the ritualistic nature of Magicka (Galaxa), Astral magic is fluid and instinctive. Its manifestations often seem spontaneous, though skilled practitioners can refine their control.

Typical applications include:

• Telepathy – Direct mind-to-mind communication.
• Empathic Projection – Broadcasting or absorbing emotions.
• Psionic Assault – Weaponizing psychic force into blasts or psychic blades.
• Astral Constructs – Forming shields, weapons, or entities made of condensed thought.
• Dreamweaving – Manipulating dreams, either for healing, communication, or warfare.

High-level Astral adepts can even enter and manipulate collective dreamscapes or tear open rifts between minds.

Inter-system Isolation

Astral energy remains entirely separate from both Magicka (Galaxa) and Teleka unless all are manifested physically within the Median Plane. Astral energies otherwise slip through and past the others like mist through rock.

Astral techniques can sometimes influence other magic users indirectly (such as destabilizing a Magicka user's concentration), but this is a result of affecting the mind—not the magic system itself.

Sociocultural Status

Astral users—often referred to as Psychics, Dreamers, or Mindweavers—are seen with a mixture of reverence and terror. Due to their emotional sensitivity and potential for mental intrusion:

• Some societies strictly regulate Astral magic.
• Others worship Astral attuned beings as seers and sages.
• Still others hunt and imprison Astral users fearing mental domination.

Notable Astral-centric groups include:

• The Order of Silent Tears – An ancient order of dream seers dedicated to preventing nightmares from gaining physical form.
• The Dreamthieves of Kurvalis – Mercenary psychics who steal secrets from sleeping minds.
• The Harmonium Sanctum – A utopian society where emotions are cultivated and weaponized under strict moral codes.

Astral vs. Technology

Astral magic has a strange and unpredictable interaction with technology. While it does not inherently disrupt systems like Magicka does, technological devices interfacing with brainwaves or emotions can experience glitches, distortions, or even full possession by rogue astral constructs.

Research into Astral-Tech Interfaces (ATI) remains dangerous and controversial across Galaxa.

Known Risks

• Emotional Overload – Intense emotions can cause magical surges or loss of control.
• Psionic Feedback – Psychic assaults can ricochet, harming both attacker and target.
• Dream Aberration – Dreamwalking without discipline can result in entrapment within the Astral Plane or possession by Astral entities.

Related Articles

• Magic Systems of Galaxa
• Magicka (Galaxa)
• Teleka
• Astral Plane (Galaxa)
• Dreamweaving