Xyastra

A complex astrological and necromantic system among the Lithkind culture, in which sympathetic magic is supposedly used to alter probability, and ceremonial magic is used to call up the ghosts of ancient sorcerers. Among believers, the power of suggestion can make its effects seem very real.

Most Lithkind know simple "magical" rituals to ward off ill fortune or bring good luck. For more important matters, each Lithkind community has one or two Iristi (“wise”); these are Xyastra scholars. They preside at communal rituals, and instruct children in the rudiments of psychic self-defense and family lore. Any Lithkind whose parent was an Iristi will receive similar training, in accordance with the Lithkind assumption that children are continuations of the souls of their parents.

Those rare individuals with actual psionic powers (as common among Lithkind as among Vilani and Solomani) see their talents as magical in nature, and seek to hone their powers through disciplines such as Xyastra.

References & Contributors (Sources)

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Dave Nilsen, David L. Pulver, Andy Slack, David Thomas. Alien Races 3 (Steve Jackson Games, 2000), 132-142.