A short but sweet mod for Cataclysm: Bright Nights
The mod Ex Nihilo Aliquid (Out of Nothing, Something) introduces a new branch to the cultivation of the self. Specifically, it adds a brand new 'mental' path towards excellence. If we consider mutations to be the physical aspect of self-cultivation, this mod gives a unique complementary path dedicated to the mental side of things. It is quite a simple mod, and players may anticipate something like the Esper powers from Caves of Qud or Mind Over Matter from DDA.
A spoiler-free guide is outlined in the following. You may either choose to start with a profession that starts out with the basic fundamentals, the [Δ]Mentat, or chance upon a book while exploring the world that propels you towards the path.
The mental path is divided into six ranks or stages. Natalist, Solipsist, Positivist, Absurdist, Abstractionist, and Idealist.
The player has two methods of progression.
First, one may choose to level up the good old fashioned way, referred to as the orthodox method. The player will have to level up any spell to level 3, at which point the spells of the next rank will be automatically learned. But as levelling up this way alone is difficult, one may also craft tomes that will allow the player to gain spell EXP by reading. A slight warning about this function is already addressed in the in-game texts I added, so please read them carefully.
However, even this may take a long time. At which case the player may choose to pursue the second method, which is usually referred to as the inferior or unorthodox method. You skip the need to practice spells altogether and instead craft a manuscript that is the culmination of pure, imaginative training. Reading this new book will instantly give you a corresponding trait and all its spells. For example, a Natalist progressing to Solipsist in this manner won't ever even have to cast a single Natalist spell to receive the spells of the Solipsist. Yet, this path has its downsides. You will progressively grow physically weaker as you progress down this path, and the ultimate ceiling is different for an orthodox and unorthodox practitioner.
Let me just say that if you persist in the orthodox method, a very good reward lies at the end of the road. The unorthodox method grants a similar reward, but it is far inferior in quality.
• Natalist •
[Δ]One Small Step
Description: The first step on your mental cultivation journey. Cast to begin. You start from Natalist and progress as follows. Natalist, Solipsist, Positivist, Absurdist, Abstractionist, and Idealist.
[Δ]As Strong As The Weakest Link
Description: The chain is only as strong as its weakest link. No weak links shall exist in your whole. This spell evens out the damage on your limbs equally.
• Solipsist •
[Δ]No Pain No Gain
Description: The pangs of the flesh may be unburdened by the stagnation of the soul. Alleviate pain in proportion to your mental reserve capacity.
Explanation: For every point of FATIGUE gained, remove two points of PAIN. Starts with 5 FATIGUE 10 PAIN, ends with 10 FATIGUE 20 PAIN at max level.
[Δ]Running Forever Into The Night
Description: The body may be weary, but so long as the mind holds steady, it can persevere.
Explanation: Gain some FATIGUE to restore a bit of STAMINA.
[Δ]Sonorous Soliloquy
Description: A dazed or stunned self may be restored by a little jolly tune.
Explanation: Remove the DAZED and STUNNED effects from the self for a bit of FATIGUE.
• Positivist •
[Δ]Dauntless Essence-Function
Description: The mind and body do not play by different rules. If the mind be pristine, so too must be the physique. Blood shall flow no more from your injuries.
[Δ]As It Should Be
Description: Alien entities may wantonly infect your flesh if not careful. Purge your body of impurities like parasites and dermatik larvae with this Sequence.
[Δ]Shaed Of Memory Lapse
Description: Finely manipulate the perception of nearby creatures so that they don't remember your presence for five seconds.
[Δ]Perennial Placebo
Description: As all is well that ends well, may as well have some fun at the end of times.
Explanation: Receive a decent morale buff for a bit of FATIGUE.
• Absurdist •
[Δ]Interdimensional Cable
Description: Why limit yourself to this world? Receive news from every corner of existence!
Explanation: Exchange a bit of STAMINA for a piece of paper containing one of twenty possible snippets from other worlds, e.g. 'Jerry, I think I figured it out. The professor mentioned something along the lines of infinite decadence and universal, nay, multiversal grime, right? What I am getting at is, hey, do you remember all those pens I lost? They may have traversed to a different universe where an infinite number of lost pens congregate. Think about it.'
[Δ]Rapturous Transport
Description: By making eye contact with another, you can delude them into perceiving you as itself, and vice versa. This leads to an inevitable displacement of locations.
Explanation: By consuming a huge chunk of STAMINA, change locations with another creature.
[Δ]A Truman Realization
Description: Blink once, and everyone is gone. Blink twice, and now everyone is your friend. For ten seconds, that is.
Explanation: By gaining a lot of FATIGUE, give everyone the BLIND effect for a single second in an AOE of 10, and make everyone caught in this spell friendly towards you for 10 seconds. Be warned, powerful monsters may be unaffected.
[Δ]Asymmetrical Geometry
Description: The asymmetry of another may be made glaring by your focus upon it. This causes their own flesh to convulse and malform which leads to stunted movement.
Explanation: For a bit of STAMINA, give a creature the DOWNED effect for 10 seconds.
• Abstractionist •
[Δ]Doubtful Mire
Description: Induce a state of crippling self-doubt in another, stopping them dead in their tracks and locking their limbs.
Explanation: For a hefty amount of FATIGUE, incapacitate a creature for at mininum 10 seconds and at maximum 60 seconds.
[Δ]Cat Out Of The Bag
Description: A cat has colors, right? Shapes too, right? Good enough! The colors and shapes of the world bleed into the form of a fluffy cat.
Explanation: For a small amount of STAMINA, summon a tabby cat for a minimum of 10 seconds and a maximum of 60 seconds.
[Δ]Wealth Beyond Measure
Description: As fiat money is, in effect, whatever both parties agree on, we can agree that I have a lot of money!
Explanation: For a modest amount of FATIGUE, summon a cash card for 10 seconds filled with a random amount of money.
• Idealist •
[Δ]Therapeutic Decomposition
Description: Perform a direct assault against another's mind. Let it slowly wither and crumble. And when the mind dies, the body is soon to follow.
Explanation: For a lot of FATIGUE, shave off 10 HP per second from another for a minimum of 10 seconds to a maximum of 60 seconds. This sequential damage bypasses all armor for it directly attacks one's sense of being.