Cio creates an army of paper soldiers using the Red Art.
The Art, short for the Art of Lying to the Face of God,[1] is a general term for what can be called ‘magic’. It is often explained as the practice of lying to the universe convincingly enough that it becomes true. As such, it is explicitly vocal in nature, and heavily reliant on the practitioner’s will for things to become true.
Most deities seem to be knowledgeable about the Art, though some are arguably more proficient than others. In contrast, far fewer inheritors possess the ability to use the Art and those who can vary wildly in terms of relative power.
Thorn Knights, for example, demonstrate the ability to travel through space-time,[2] but their mastery over this system pales in comparison to Jagganoth, a member of the Seven.[3] Furthermore, use of the Art does not appear to be limited to the person who casted the magic, as Zoss has been shown transporting Allison to and from Throne, both directly and indirectly.[4][5]
The White Art
The White Art of Division, less commonly known as the Art of Cutting, is the ability to change the self and one’s own perceptions. It is a very rare, powerful, and prodigious ability. All known instances of it’s use have been from experienced figures, like Zoss and the Thorn Knights. Usage of this system dates back thousands of years, as the gods are said to have used Division to transcend creation.[6] According to 82, Vatra also study Division, so it is implied knowledge of this art has been passed down or rediscovered over the ages.[7]
This system has varying uses, mostly based around the manipulation of space-time. It can be used split objects, move at imperceptible speeds, and to track beings moving through dimensions.
The White Art can also be used to warp space in order to teleport vast distances. The Magus Gates are especially potent in this regard, as they grant one the power to move instantly through various states of reality.[8]
Known techniques
Allison's shade, cast by division magic.
Annihilation: The user destroys a target by force of will. By using this power, the gods are said to have transcended reality.[9]
Pattram Sword Hand: Through Universal Division the user strikes an opponent, draining them of vital fluids. The victim is then split violently into thirty pieces.[10]
Teleportation:[11] The user's essence becomes separated from his or her body, revealing a naked, jet-black form of the person.[12] This is known as casting a shade.[8] If the destination is in the physical world, the user's body will reassemble in a new location.[13] If the user attempts to enter the void, the user will instead assume control of their shade.[14]
When this technique is used it manifests in a display of white lightning.
The Red Art
The Red Art of Dominion has yet to be explained in detail, but Vatra also use this system according to 82.[7] It has been used by Cio on multiple occassions to manipulate paper.
The Red Art involves changing the existing physical universe or non- animate matter. someone could use the Red Art to transfigure bare stone into gold, to warp a wall into a door, or to bend the illusion of life into inanimate objects. Equally, a practitioner could use the same principles to harm by igniting the air into bolts of fire or animating swords to fight on their own.
Known techniques
Paper soldiers: The user speaks a short chant which transforms into a red strand. The strand is then threaded through a stack of paper men which suddenly increase in size, sending enemies flying outward. The user can freely manipulate the movement of the paper, either to cleave a target to to form a defensive wall.[15][16][17]
Red-White
The Red-White Art is a mixed art, more common in many uses than the pure White, but extremely rare and difficult in its most powerful uses. It is utilized to use the Red Art to affect others (since their perception of self must also be altered), by changing their physical form or mental state.
It has been used by the demiurge Mottom to turn a man into a tree and to destroy Gog-agog’s head.
Known techniques
Perish: The user says the word parish aloud and points at their target. The area they pointed to is hit with incredible force and explodes backwards, as if the gesture held tremendous kinetic force.
Techniques of unknown origin
Floating boats at the Palace of Radiance
Shapeshifting: The user transforms his or her body, clothing, or both.[18][3]
Floating Boats: Changed through the Art to ignore natural laws, carved stone or wood boxes at the middle of a ship allow it to float. Their manufacture is extremely difficult and guild-dominated.[19]
Notable Users
- All known deities
- All known demiurges
- Cio
- Eris-Lo Kai