Chapter 9: Mystics
In every part of the world, there is always some form of folklore of practitioners of magic. People who are able to tap in supernatural energies to perform metaphysical feats that are thought to be impossible or unnatural. Common names for them are witches, sorcerers or wizards. Though, common theory today is that magic was the word given to things or events that were too advanced or unexplainable by people who were not logically or scientifically able to explain them. In truth, the development of logic and advancements in science served to make people stop believing in magic over the years. In truth, magic is very much real, as are those that can harness and use it. These people are called Mysticals or Mystics for short.
The term "Mystics" was actually chosen by them after the dawn of the 21st century. Apparently, before they were referred to as witches and sorcerers. Druids was another term, an off-shoot of common mystics and is one of the lesser known names, though is still in use to this day, though just barely. Yet, the words "witch" and "sorcerer" had started gaining a sordid reputation for these people that had built up over the centuries. After all, 'witch hunt', is a term whose origins come from mystics being sought after and hunting down for centuries, long before the Salem Witch Trials, which apparently only had one real witch involved and she had escaped her execution using magic. The term sorcerer and sorceress was also quite negatively used back in Medieval Europe due to some that blatantly abused their powers for personal gain or to actively hurt others. The old names were also used many a time to slander and ostracize anyone that was or even suspected of being different, even somewhat to this very day. Magic practitioners apparently wanted to free themselves from the baggage those names held and adopt a more 'neutral' and fresh term to identify themselves. The name "Mysticals" was chosen roughly after the Second World War but the most recent generation changed and shortened it to Mystics apparently because it sounded cooler which, personally, I have to agree with.
Mystics have apparently existed since the dawn of civilization. The stories of magic and its practitioners go back thousands of years, sightings as early as Ancient Egypt with mystics serving the Pharoahs, to other old sources like Greek Mythology, Arthurian Legend, and the Grimm Brothers. In the last two centuries, Mystics have let themselves and their abilities fade away into the shadows as things of legend and superstition, much like everything else in the supernatural world, for their own comfort and protection. Yet, mystics don't seem to have to work as hard to keep themselves secret in the same manner that werewolves would have to, though they've proven to be quite diligent in protecting their existence when they must.
While other supernatural beings such as shapeshifters have physical traits that set them apart from regular humans, mystics are, for lack of a better term, the most 'normal' in the entire supernatural world. Outside of when they use magic and cast their spells, there is nothing to differentiate them from regular human beings. A trait that sets them apart from other supernaturals is the lack of glowing eyes. Even when using their magical powers, or under stress and conflict, their eyes do not shift and glow like a werewolf's eyes have been known to. There are some spells that do cause certain parts of their body to glow for when they have to channel their power (i.e. fingers or hands) but only if the magic they're using is strong enough or naturally produces that effect. Therefore it is much more difficult to find and identify mystics, even for other supernaturals, well outside Strigoi and their Moroi.
The number of Mystics in the world has varied over the centuries. In the dark ages, the numbers were somewhat low due to anti-magic attitudes from the populace. However, a little over the last century, mystics have started to thrive due to the evolution of science and technology which has made most stop believing in magic, as well as some positive attitudes about magic due to pop culture and media. Unlike with werewolves who could increase their numbers with a simple bite from an Alpha, for someone to be a mystic and wield magic, it is all far more...complex.
For someone to be a Mystic, they must typically be taught and trained to harness magic by another Mystic. While there have been recorded cases of self-taught mystics, they usually don't last too long due to self-corruption or not being capable or stable enough to protect or take care of themselves. Most of the well known stories where a sorcerer or wizard takes in a young child or teen to pass on and teach their magic to had most likely originated from the Mystics. Though, a mystic can't just take any random person and start teaching them magic, making them into a mystic themselves. Only certain kinds of people have the makings to become one. Since they have to be people pre-disposed to channeling the power they keep their eyes out for signs that a person potentially can.
Usually the search starts with those that have a "sixth sense" since it could be a pre-mature channeling of magic. Common examples would be people that get vibes or can sense something is about to happen before it actually does. Or with people that have stronger than average intuition or instinct about things, places and people they come across. Also, mystics generally pick among those who have high IQ's or mental fortitudes which makes them suited to using magic as it requires good focus and concentration while tapping and using it to avoid harming themselves. In the past, some mystics had tried training someone that had good potential but lacked the mental strength and focus to keep in control of it. This often led to very...hazardous results that fueled early paranoia and aggression against mystics.
Like with other supernatural beings and creatures, a mystic could be born with their magical capability. A child sired from a mystic has a good chance of inheriting the ability to perform magic from themselves. Those who descend from a mystic bloodline, much like the Bohlen, Royce or Emmett families, have a far more higher chance of inheriting it though there have been instances where it skips a generation and the child is born without the ability to harness any power.
Most mystics, in some ways, are like the stereotypical sorcerers when it comes to casting magic. For them to do magical feats, they need to recite a spell. These spells are commonly chanted out in Latin. It's really unknown everything that mystics can do, and I won't go over them all, but the most common power seen amongst them is the power of telekinesis, or the ability to mentally apply force to objects. Low powered mystics having the strength to move small objects pens or cups, while powerful ones could move things like people and cars. There are are also special enchanted or magically empowered objects, tools, and herbs that can be utilized for special magical uses and powers. One such item that I've personally seen was an old and enchanted deck of tarot cards that could actually read into people and make closely accurate predictions into the future. It had been passed down through Virgil Edelman's family since the time of Salem.
One interesting thing about mystics is that they also possess a degree of longevity. From roughly around the age of 25, mystics seem to regress in their aging. It is thought that their magic seems to slow their time which makes them capable to live for an extended period of time, that is if they aren't killed and live to an old age. The fabled mystic Mieczyslaw Bohlen looked like he was in his 20's during World War II and seventy years later, looked like he was in his late 50's. His actual age was a personal secret that he never seemed to divulge. How much a mystic's aging is regressed and slowed varies though it is guessed that it is tied to the strength of their power. The more powerful the mystic, the slower they will age. Some stories have mystics living for almost 200 years.
For all the power they appear to have at first glance, mystics have limits and weaknesses. Using magic, especially raw magic, can be taxing on a mystic's stamina and strength. Like a muscle, too much strain or stress can exhaust and incapacitate them if they aren't strong enough to handle it. Often, it is advised for mystics in training to practice and steadily build their power in time and curves. Overtaxing themselves could drain or even hurt them as with physical overexertion. Unlike shapeshifters, mystics don't have stronger physical endurance or strength. They are as frail as normal humans and be hurt and killed just like normal people. As for their magic itself, it would appear that it can blocked or dispelled with iron. The composition of iron renders it useless. Often, mystics were bound in iron chains in order to keep them trapped and unable to access their powers. There are also magical relics and weapons that can be used to siphon their power and even kill them. Things that were created by old time sorcerers and witches to be used against their rivals or competitors. Some still keep them around for protection against enemy mystics but others have found their way into the possession of hunters.
As with most supernatural beings, a common enemy for Mystics would be hunters. Witch hunters. These hunters are ones who specialize in hunting mystics much like werewolf hunters specialize in hunting werewolves. Many of these hunters took part in witch burnings and hunts that happened back in the olden days. They were seen as devil worshipers and demon spawn, things not truly human, and were hunted. Even to this day, witch hunters still track and hunt down mystics with means and expertise that rival the hunters that go after shapeshifters like werewolves. Usually, when confronted with a hunter, a mystic would either retreat, or kill them before they are killed.
Relationships that surround mystics also seem to be the most complex, and unpredictable. Some tend to stick close to their own circles or covens and are wary of rogues and outside circles and covens. Although, there is a very complex animosity and rivalry between Mystics and Strigoi. Since Strigoi used to be Mystics who spurned their souls for power and immortality, they are seen as abominations to most of them. Amongst other supernaturals, mystics tend to have varying relationships. Since mystics usually keep to themselves, they seem to try not to interact with other supernaturals like shapeshifters on an any kind of basis. Likewise, shapeshifters are wary around mystics and their powers, as they can't sense their presence or stand against their magic as they could against rival shapeshifters so there can be some lack of trust. Recently though, some have entered a friendly and mutual beneficial alliance with the Beast Pack. One mystic by the name of Claude Royce even found his way to be a member of this pack.
A/N: I know I was supposed to be talking about Hellhounds but I got alot of inspiration behind my spin for sorcerers, or mystics in the teen wolf world. Already, we have seen some glimpses behind them with Virgil. And, I think Deaton has some mystic in him, maybe not enough to use spells, but enough to do some of the unexplained stuff we've seen around him and his clinic.
Also, to everyone reading, please be careful during the Corona Crisis.