Spells of the Faith
The abilities granted to the faithful are channeled like magic, through one’s body’s energy, as a conduit of sorts from the power of the gods emitted from the sacred relics. Casting these requires a person of true belief, and their connection to the god determines the intensity and effect of the spells. Most of these are used as defensive or healing abilities, though not all prayers are for peaceful magic.
Like with the magic spells, these have their own incantations, which do not need to be spoken aloud if the priest or priestess is of strong faith. There are many spells in their arsenal, but only those that will be presented in the story will be detailed.
Protective Ward
User casts a shield of sorts, represented by a magical rune that appears at the center of the shield which is only visible at the moment of casting. The shield protects in a variety of ways, chosen by the person at time of spell. This can be physical, as a literal shield, or to prevent certain elements from passing through, such as rainfall or snow. User must touch the place that will be central to the orb’s effect. In rare occasions, skilled priests have been able to cast this at a target at sight, but with limited effect.
Sense Disruption
A priest[ess] may sense the instability of the presence of a magical enchantment. This will appear to the priest in the form of a glow around items within a small area, denoting a spell of some kind exists. Magic is viewed as a divergence from nature, and thus is the focus of the caster’s prayer.
Commune
Allows priests to speak the language of lesser creatures. However, for each species a separate prayer must be given. For example, to speak to birds, one prayer will allow to speak to ravens, mockingbirds, owls, etc. To speak also to frogs is another spell, but would allow for frogs and toads and all their variations. This lasts for normally an hour or more. Speaking with animals is limited in conversational ability, as their ‘language’ would be rudimentary. Though this can be cast many times over, most priests can manage conversation this way with up to three different species at the same time.
Bind Flesh
This form of healing prayer seals superficial cuts and gashes, those not too deep in the skin. It restores the skin to its original form.
Commit Soul
While there is debate about this actually being a spell, as there is no record of it actually performing its intended purpose, this is a spell spoken over a corpse. As a form of respect and committal to the afterlife, this is seen by most as a pleasant and heart soothing thing for bereft families, some of faith believe this to be a spell, actually sending the spell to its destination. This has created great division in the various temples across Andoria, but is not spoken of in the novel series.
Sooth Spirit
An uncommon older prayer that acts to relieve the target of emotional pain. By providing comforting embraces with this, the distraught can be calmed by naturally enhancing the body’s ability to calm and focus itself. Its prayer does not feature an incantation, and so many never know they are being affected by this.
Settle Body
This prayer is used upon those with mild illnesses, typically those of the stomach. It is meant to serve as a counter to the body’s condition to right it to normal. Can be also used against mild poisons like poison oak and some allergic reactions. As its effectiveness varies this has become a last resort
The Trials of Andoria 