Clairvoyant Conversation

Usually called scrying, clairvoyance is a conversational discipline used to divine answers to questions. As a blanket term, it normally precludes quantitative conversation, which is seen as a separate discipline despite functioning on many of the same principles. It is related to perceptive conversation for its focus on the mind. However, whereas perceptive reading conversation has to be within close range of the target, clairvoyant conversation can divine information that is not readily available or even reachable by normal means.

Clairvoyant conversations are mostly favored by the country of Mugroba.

How It Works

Clairvoyant conversation is sometimes seen as a softer discipline than the other fields of conversation, because the answers it provides are very often vague and not always accurate. Modern scrying incorporates Physical conversation to improve accuracy. Currently, scrying is used mainly for long-distance communication, though it is sometimes used for information-gathering purposes.

Scrying involves two parties: the scryer and the witness (or recipient if the spell involves communication). The clairvoyant spell in question establishes a link between the two parties so that information may be transmitted. Multiple recipients are only possible with sufficiently advanced skill; multiple witnesses, however, make information easier to gather.

Information-gathering requires a sentient witness to be present. If the information being gleaned is a specific setting, action, or event, at least one target must be present. This target may be anonymous; clairvoyant conversation searches them out and creates a link between the mind of the target and their own mind.

After the initial spell is cast, the scryer will be able to perceive an image or a sound and transfer it to a medium. This image or sound is interpreted through the scrying spell, and appears in the medium as an aid to the scryer, who would have difficulty interpreting the image or sound solely inside their mind. Different sensory information can also be transmitted by the spell, including but not limited to sight, sound and smell; the recipient could be aware of any of these things, depending on what the scryer wants them to perceive.

Clairvoyant spells must be spoken and then upkept by the caster. The spell ends when the link is broken by either the scryer or the recipient.

Depending on the method used, the information transmitted by a scrying spell might be perceived by an outside party; the medium used will transmit sound and light indiscriminately and anyone present may listen in. However, if a seer stone is used, the voice sent out to the recipient will only be audible to the receiver. This is why seer stones are so popular.

Limitations

Accuracy. In essence, scrying is the act of receiving information based on a lead. In order to observe anything, the caster must know a certain amount of information about the situation already. The minimum information is a destination for the spell. Knowledge of any of the other variables in a scene is a bonus; it improves accuracy and enhances the visions produced. Similarly, a multitude of targets will provide a stronger vision than only one. The more well-known the target is to the scryer, the easier the spell will prove - unless, of course, the target can block the spell.

However, if little is known about the situation or the recipient, the results will not be as reliable. Scrying can produce false results as easily as it can show the present. The scryer's own expectations and prejudices can be seen in scrying, which is why most galdori obtain the services of an impartial scryer whenever possible.

Security. As scrying is rather difficult, and can be inaccurate, widespread surveillance is rare. This, too, is limited by the connection one galdor has with another; if the relationship is strong enough to provide a perfectly accurate image, the target may become aware of the scrying spell and can counter it with a spell of his own if he is not comfortable with it. This is some of the only conversation that remains strong even at great distances.

It is possible to spy on a scrying spell by two methods. One, the galdori can directly observe the spell of another through subterfuge; two, he could in fact use a scrying spell to observe the other spell being cast. There is significant image degradation, but in the past this weakness has allowed for spying. Currently, more covert methods of scrying are being experimented with to prevent this.

A galdor could prevent themselves from being scryed upon by the same method used to confuse their field. This can help to prevent internal spells from being worked upon them (like scrying) but not external spells. Obfuscation confuses the mona so that they do not want to report upon the individual's activities; they blur out the target as well as their surroundings, so the scrying image would be lost. This sort of defense cannot be kept up forever, but neither can a scrying connection.

Methods. Many hundreds of scrying methods exist and new ones are developed every year. Each of these methods has strengths and weaknesses. The only constant in these variations is a Monite clause referred to as the invocation, which is the foundation of all scrying methods. This clause opens the communication channel, either one-way or two-way, so that information can be transmitted.

Most galdori keep special scrying equipment in their house. Although common mediums can be used for scrying (even the water in a rain puddle or the smoke from a fireplace will do), galdori like to add an element of ritual to the spell to pay homage to the mona. The most common (and most polite) form of scrying is aquamancy, as it is convenient, cheap and not messy. Portable means of scrying, such as seer stones, are popular but expensive.

Most Common Types of Scrying

Aquamancy: Scrying through a water medium, usually within a mirrored bowl. This is a very old style of scrying, requiring a visual interpretation of images. The visions produced are very clear, but sometimes inaccurate.
Cognomancy: Primarily used by advanced scryers, this method involves no visuals, but images and sounds are projected directly in the caster's mind. This can be incredibly accurate, but is the most difficult of all scrying methods, and takes many years of practice. The downside to this method is the enormous mental toll it takes on the scryer; the upside is that no one else need be made aware of the clairvoyance in progress.
Crystomancy: Scrying through a crystalline or stone medium. The vision has clear colors, and a hint of sounds, but requires multiple readers to discern the fragmented images within the crystal. The caster must include these readers in his/her original scrying spell.
Fumimancy (or Smoke Reading): Scrying through a smoke medium; a favorite style among wicks. This style tends to be quite accurate in terms of information, but the visions are extremely objective. Requires two casters, and is dependent upon vision to interpret images.
Incaustomancy: Scrying through an ink medium, usually on a flat surface. The ink used for this particular style is made from carbon, thought to be one of the purest elements. This style undoubtedly has the clearest picture, invokes some sounds, and discerns color, but it is rather difficult to learn, and requires a trio of casters to perform. The visions produced must be interpreted visually, but the sounds and colors are perceived within the casters' minds only.
Ossimancy (or Bone Reading): A small handful of bones, tossed onto a ritual plot, can give a very accurate picture of the present. However, the interpretation of the spell is often difficult and unclear. The bones tend to be very poetic. This style requires one caster and a great deal of spellwork; it is popular among wicks, but galdori tend to eschew it for being barbaric.
Radiomancy: A new style of scrying, mainly used by scientists. Information is interpreted into radio signals which are recorded and interpreted by electric devices. This style was developed to greatly improve accuracy, but there is a lot of nuance lost in the way the machine parses the information.
Tactimancy (or Sand Reading): A non-visual style of scrying involving a granular medium such as sand or earth. The seer's spell causes the sand to give a tactile response to questions. This method is relatively accurate given enough training, and can sometimes give unexpected or additional answers to questions even if they were not asked directly. Popular among the blind.