Spirit Spells are techniques used by spirit animals to sense and manipulate various elements, including themselves, through the use of spirit power.
Principles
Spells allow users to convert spirit power into various forms of energy to achieve their goals. Simple spells can be directly controlled by the caster through thought, while complex spells require using specific gestures or drawing spell marks.
Spell marks can be embedded in various items, allowing users to cast spells by injecting spirit power. These items, known as spirit items, are especially useful for those lacking spell skills or in their human form (which limits spirit power perception and control). The most common type is the spirit band.
Spellbooks
The Essential Spells for Spirit Animals is a Chinese book documenting commonly used spells for spirit animals. Originally attributed to Diaochan the Spirit Marten in the Eastern Han Dynasty (circa 200), its earliest known version is the Essential Spells for Spirit Animals Expanded by Sun Wukong the Spirit Monkey in the Tang Dynasty (circa 650), which includes over 300 spells and is referred to as the “Sun Edition.” The book was lost during turbulent times, and what remains was compiled by Bai Suzhen the Spirit Snake in the Southern Song Dynasty (circa 1150), containing 108 spells with annotations by Suzhen, known as the “Bai Edition.” Modern spirit animals have rewritten this edition in vernacular Chinese, resulting in the Modern Chinese Essential Spells for Spirit Animals Explained, or the “New Edition,” which features 72 spells after removing obsolete ones and adding new ones.
There are similar spellbooks in various countries and regions, showcasing the unique characteristics of spells worldwide and historical technical exchanges.
Shape-shifting Spell
The Shape-shifting spell is a commonly used spell by spirit animals, enabling them to transform themselves or other objects. This spell allows spirit animals to take on anthro, human, or other forms and to disguise objects and locations.
Shape-shifting is an advanced and highly customizable spell. The greater the difference between the original and intended forms, the more difficult and energy-consuming it becomes. Among advanced spells, shape-shifting is one of the few that cannot be performed with spell marks, relying instead on the caster’s imagination and control. A spirit band cannot cast this spell.
Thermal Spell
The thermal spell is used to control the internal energy of matter, enabling easy heating or cooling of objects with minimal spirit power consumption. It is one of the oldest spells, used by spirit animals since the Age of Desolation to start fires and preserve food. Modern spirit animals have mastered this spell and can effortlessly cast it through their spirit bands.
Lighting Spell
The Lighting Spell is a basic spell that converts spirit power into light. Based on the principle that spirit power emits light as it decays, it is the simplest of all spells. In ancient times, when lighting technology was primitive, the efficiency and safety of the Lighting Spell greatly surpassed fire and was highly valued. Many ancient spirit items were created for prolonged lighting.
However, with advancements in human lighting technology, spirit animals today rarely use precious spirit power for lighting and prefer electric lights instead. The Lighting Spell is now only used in emergencies.
Telepathy Spell
The telepathy spell enables communication via telepathy, typically within a range of about 10 meters (33 feet). As distance increases, information loss and spirit power consumption rise. Modern spirit animals have studied this spell extensively, enabling easy casting with a spirit band. It is commonly used for secret communication.
Sensory Spells
The sensory spells are used to enhance the caster’s senses or detect energy. Spirit animals use these spells to sense humans, other spirit animals, and potential threats.
Acrobatic Spells
The acrobatic spells enhance a spirit animal’s mobility without shape-shifting, including: “Antelope Jump” for 1.5 to 2 times the jump height, “Gecko Cling” for sticking to walls and ceilings briefly, “Horse Dash” for increased running speed, “Carp Slide” to reduce sliding friction, and “Panda Cush” for safe landings.
Although acrobatic spells require little power to cast, their effectiveness relies heavily on the caster’s talent and environmental conditions. Not everyone can master these spells. Spirit bands are ineffective at casting them, rendering these spells largely unusable in human form.
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