Hey Aeris,
This had been sitting around in my room for a while now. I'd been... hesitant, to send it over, even though I finished it not long after I left. I don't know why -- probably just a feeling that I wasn't right to be teaching anyone, which is pretty silly of me. Mist-Weaving is a powerful tool and enlightening way to look at the Force. Feel free to share it with whoever you'd like.
I was reminded to send this after I met another Mist-Weaver (and now I suspect the claim I make in the introduction about my skill is no longer true). There was explosive jungle growth in a large area on Mimban, out of an ancient Thrella well. The cause was, in part, the Mist-Weaver I met named Shath Kharole -- who happened to be Thrella himself. While it seems he had help, there was a noticeable, mist-woven bubble surrounding the area of growth; he was able to accelerate the flow of time within by a small amount, though admittedly any directed chronal distortion should not be discounted as 'small'.
With him was a Gree scientist, and another man that seemed a touch more hostile -- I didn't recognize the species, but he had a wide head and four eyes. Shath told me that he was of the Forerunners, and by my understanding, he and other Mist-Weavers hid themselves and many of their various peoples to preserve them until a later time, which just so happened to be now.
Obviously, exciting. But it's easy to forget that their history is hardly over. They're back, and they have goals, ambitions; no longer are they static, frozen, or long dead.
I got the feeling that Shath was a bit mixed on seeing a human Mist-Weave, but I also think having people who understand it -- both as weavers themselves, and understanding it as a conception of the Force -- will be a boon when dealing with the Forerunners. I also suspect that the Jedi may be more understanding of them than the Alliance.
I hope everything's well on Prosperity. Don't stay up too late reading. Also, when you see Lileas -- my padawan, small girl with short hair, always in the archives -- say hi, I worry she gets lonely sometimes.
Love,
Auteme
Introduction
Mist-Weavers are a long-extinct Force culture, very rarely studied because of how little they left behind. We know they worshiped the Force, calling it the Luminous Mist; that they were incredibly ancient, supposedly living in a time when even the stars themselves were young; and that master Mist-Weavers were capable of slowing time itself within the cocoons they wove. While this culture has certainly been twisted and mythologized throughout galactic history, they were quite real.
Past sources are understandably limited given the ancient nature of the Mist-Weavers. However, I was given the chance to meet one myself, as the cocoon of a master Mist-Weaver was recovered near Corellia. The Mist-Weaver, K’narik, agreed to teach a number of Jedi her weaving, before passing on into the Force.
After several years of practice and consistent use, I’ve found weaving to be both incredibly practical and a fulfilling way to gain insight into the nature of the Force. While I am not a master like K’narik, I believe I am the most experienced Mist-Weaver in the galaxy (save any yet-undiscovered masters hidden in cocoons). I hope what is contained in this guide serves you well.
Mist-Weaving Philosophy
Every Force ability has some helpful philosophy behind it, a mindset to be taken before the Force responds. In the case of Mist-Weaving, this philosophy encompasses the Force entirely. While your experience may be different, I’ve found three key aspects to Mist-Weaving that have helped me learn to weave and understand the Force as a whole.
First and most obvious are the threads themselves. They permeate all things, an invisible weave that binds the universe together. It’s a lattice, like a spider’s web. Some threads are stronger than others – maybe you can pull from your connection to your friends and allies, to the objects around you, or to the stars themselves. There’s always something there. With Mist-Weaving, it’s about finding that intangible thread and pulling it closer.
Second spouts from my original idea of the Force, something that I think many Jedi share – that it’s like water; perhaps a vast ocean, or merely the concept of water. It comes in many forms, has a certain flow, and one can certainly drown in it. For the purpose of Mist-Weaving, it’s best to focus on the states of water. The threads of a Mist-Weaver can be hardened, frozen like ice; so dense it could exist deep in space and ward off even the effects of time (the connection between the Force and time is a topic for another guide). The threads are quick to fill any space they are given, like water taking the shape of its container. And of course, mist; an obscuring force, mystery and wonder lying just beyond, surrounding us completely.
Third and finally is the connection to the Light. While it is quite possible to weave without it, threads of the Force are extremely amenable to Light. It can strengthen them, improve barriers and constructs, and any number of other things. There is a brightness to the Force when seen this way – for that reason I understand why the Mist-Weavers called it the Luminous Mist. (I understand that there are a variety of views on the ‘sides’ of the Force; however, the seeming rejection it has for darkness and how eagerly it seeks the Light tells me that there is a true answer to be found here regarding the Force’s balance.)
Mist-Weaving
Once you have understood the principles above, try to weave – start small, and keep to your own pace; don’t be disheartened if you don’t get it on the first try. Meditation and reflection are always useful, particularly if you’re near water. It doesn’t matter what you weave so long as you’re able to feel the strands. It’s best to imagine them emanating from your hand; while I’ve been able to manifest threads at a distance, it’s far easier and more effective to keep yourself in contact with what you are weaving.
Below I’ve attached a few videos of kata I have practiced during my learning process. However, I strongly suggest you first attempt to weave without them, to form and strengthen your own unique connection to the Mist and the strands you will be weaving.
Start simple, with barriers or spheres. Build an understanding about how they can be woven, then release them and let them sit.
Here’s a list of things you may want to try, or ways to challenge yourself:
From then on, it’s up to you to cultivate this skill. The basics will take you far, but weaving rewards creativity, so don’t be afraid to try something new.
Properties of Mist-Weaving
These are some of the primary properties of woven threads and constructs that I have noticed, but I would be unsurprised if you find others in your own experience.
Applications of Mist-Weaving
Here are a few ways I’ve used Mist-Weaving (or have thought of using it).
Conclusion
Mist-Weaving has an incredible number of applications. It’s simple at its core, yet rewards creative use and cultivation of the basics. Even if that were all, I would still strongly recommend teaching every Jedi and Force-sensitive ally how to weave.
However, the nature of Mist-Weaving makes it even more rewarding to careful students. There are lessons to be learned from these threads, so much so that one can feel the connection to the ancient weavers, touch the same strands, and be immersed in the Force in an entirely new way.
I hope that this guide has proven useful and educational to you. We’re connected by a thread now, you and I – don’t hesitate to pull on it if you need guidance or aid.
All the best in your weaving.
This had been sitting around in my room for a while now. I'd been... hesitant, to send it over, even though I finished it not long after I left. I don't know why -- probably just a feeling that I wasn't right to be teaching anyone, which is pretty silly of me. Mist-Weaving is a powerful tool and enlightening way to look at the Force. Feel free to share it with whoever you'd like.
I was reminded to send this after I met another Mist-Weaver (and now I suspect the claim I make in the introduction about my skill is no longer true). There was explosive jungle growth in a large area on Mimban, out of an ancient Thrella well. The cause was, in part, the Mist-Weaver I met named Shath Kharole -- who happened to be Thrella himself. While it seems he had help, there was a noticeable, mist-woven bubble surrounding the area of growth; he was able to accelerate the flow of time within by a small amount, though admittedly any directed chronal distortion should not be discounted as 'small'.
With him was a Gree scientist, and another man that seemed a touch more hostile -- I didn't recognize the species, but he had a wide head and four eyes. Shath told me that he was of the Forerunners, and by my understanding, he and other Mist-Weavers hid themselves and many of their various peoples to preserve them until a later time, which just so happened to be now.
Obviously, exciting. But it's easy to forget that their history is hardly over. They're back, and they have goals, ambitions; no longer are they static, frozen, or long dead.
I got the feeling that Shath was a bit mixed on seeing a human Mist-Weave, but I also think having people who understand it -- both as weavers themselves, and understanding it as a conception of the Force -- will be a boon when dealing with the Forerunners. I also suspect that the Jedi may be more understanding of them than the Alliance.
I hope everything's well on Prosperity. Don't stay up too late reading. Also, when you see Lileas -- my padawan, small girl with short hair, always in the archives -- say hi, I worry she gets lonely sometimes.
Love,
Auteme
A Guide to Mist-Weaving
Introduction
Mist-Weavers are a long-extinct Force culture, very rarely studied because of how little they left behind. We know they worshiped the Force, calling it the Luminous Mist; that they were incredibly ancient, supposedly living in a time when even the stars themselves were young; and that master Mist-Weavers were capable of slowing time itself within the cocoons they wove. While this culture has certainly been twisted and mythologized throughout galactic history, they were quite real.
Past sources are understandably limited given the ancient nature of the Mist-Weavers. However, I was given the chance to meet one myself, as the cocoon of a master Mist-Weaver was recovered near Corellia. The Mist-Weaver, K’narik, agreed to teach a number of Jedi her weaving, before passing on into the Force.
After several years of practice and consistent use, I’ve found weaving to be both incredibly practical and a fulfilling way to gain insight into the nature of the Force. While I am not a master like K’narik, I believe I am the most experienced Mist-Weaver in the galaxy (save any yet-undiscovered masters hidden in cocoons). I hope what is contained in this guide serves you well.
Mist-Weaving Philosophy
Every Force ability has some helpful philosophy behind it, a mindset to be taken before the Force responds. In the case of Mist-Weaving, this philosophy encompasses the Force entirely. While your experience may be different, I’ve found three key aspects to Mist-Weaving that have helped me learn to weave and understand the Force as a whole.
First and most obvious are the threads themselves. They permeate all things, an invisible weave that binds the universe together. It’s a lattice, like a spider’s web. Some threads are stronger than others – maybe you can pull from your connection to your friends and allies, to the objects around you, or to the stars themselves. There’s always something there. With Mist-Weaving, it’s about finding that intangible thread and pulling it closer.
Second spouts from my original idea of the Force, something that I think many Jedi share – that it’s like water; perhaps a vast ocean, or merely the concept of water. It comes in many forms, has a certain flow, and one can certainly drown in it. For the purpose of Mist-Weaving, it’s best to focus on the states of water. The threads of a Mist-Weaver can be hardened, frozen like ice; so dense it could exist deep in space and ward off even the effects of time (the connection between the Force and time is a topic for another guide). The threads are quick to fill any space they are given, like water taking the shape of its container. And of course, mist; an obscuring force, mystery and wonder lying just beyond, surrounding us completely.
Third and finally is the connection to the Light. While it is quite possible to weave without it, threads of the Force are extremely amenable to Light. It can strengthen them, improve barriers and constructs, and any number of other things. There is a brightness to the Force when seen this way – for that reason I understand why the Mist-Weavers called it the Luminous Mist. (I understand that there are a variety of views on the ‘sides’ of the Force; however, the seeming rejection it has for darkness and how eagerly it seeks the Light tells me that there is a true answer to be found here regarding the Force’s balance.)
Mist-Weaving
Once you have understood the principles above, try to weave – start small, and keep to your own pace; don’t be disheartened if you don’t get it on the first try. Meditation and reflection are always useful, particularly if you’re near water. It doesn’t matter what you weave so long as you’re able to feel the strands. It’s best to imagine them emanating from your hand; while I’ve been able to manifest threads at a distance, it’s far easier and more effective to keep yourself in contact with what you are weaving.
Below I’ve attached a few videos of kata I have practiced during my learning process. However, I strongly suggest you first attempt to weave without them, to form and strengthen your own unique connection to the Mist and the strands you will be weaving.
Start simple, with barriers or spheres. Build an understanding about how they can be woven, then release them and let them sit.
Here’s a list of things you may want to try, or ways to challenge yourself:
- Un-weave something you’ve made.
- Vary the hardness of your threads. (Viscous like water, or strong enough to block a blaster bolt.)
- Create a cocoon for yourself.
- Create a cocoon to catch someone/something.
- Pull yourself into the air with a thread.
- Change the color or other outward properties of a thread.
- Get a thread to stick to something.
- Weave a thread that is strong enough to hold you, but fades after a few minutes.
- Weave a trampoline.
- Weave an article of clothing or piece of armor.
From then on, it’s up to you to cultivate this skill. The basics will take you far, but weaving rewards creativity, so don’t be afraid to try something new.
Properties of Mist-Weaving
These are some of the primary properties of woven threads and constructs that I have noticed, but I would be unsurprised if you find others in your own experience.
- One of the core properties of woven constructs is their capacity for self-repair. Upon being damaged, a woven barrier will begin to re-form. As my adeptness in weaving has increased, so has the rate of recovery for my barriers when damaged. The more severe the damage, the longer it takes to recover. I assume that if a construct is completely destroyed, it would not be able to heal; however, my experience with this is limited.
- Strands can last very long times given enough effort, but even hastily-woven constructs can last hours or days. I spent a day weaving a sphere the size of my fist a few months after I learned from K’narik, and it still shows no sign of decay. Despite this long-lasting nature, it’s also possible to reduce how long a strand will last before it fades – useful for removing any trace of passing, or setting a sort of ‘timer’.
- Threads themselves can be as flexible or rigid as you like, and threads already woven can be changed to suit your needs.
- The durability of woven constructs most often depends on how much effort is spent on it. Some of the things I’ve woven approach the durability of durasteel. Combined with the self-healing nature of the threads makes barriers especially potent. This tends to correlate with how long a construct will last.
- Threads of the Force can be found anywhere. Weaving with one’s own hands is easier; however, manifesting constructs at a distance can be useful. Remember – everything is connected.
- The Light can easily imbue your strands with greater strength. Especially useful against Sith; though it is, obviously, very bright.
- The color and texture of strands can be changed, though the former is much easier to affect. Normal threads tend to have a slight glow to them, but can be toned down, even turned translucent or fully invisible (to the human eye, at least).
- All strands are highly visible to those using the Force to enhance their sight, and constructs are usually easy to sense.
- Threads can be woven so tight, hardened so effectively as to ward time itself. I have had absolutely no experience in doing this, but the applications for such a skill would be endless.
Applications of Mist-Weaving
Here are a few ways I’ve used Mist-Weaving (or have thought of using it).
- Cocoons – definitely a basic one, but with infinite applications. Capturing enemies is a breeze, as is safeguarding people until they can be delivered from danger.
- Barriers. The self-healing property is especially effective against groups of pursuers and opponents, since they need to break through individually, rather than it being like a wall that only needs to be knocked down once.
- Webbing. Something like a spider, one can launch or manifest threads to hold up an attacker. Less effective than a cocoon, but good in a pinch.
- Leaving messages for other Jedi. By making the strands invisible, you can leave secret messages for Jedi who know to look for them.
- Rope. Good for climbing, and you don’t need to carry it around all day. Lassos work great.
- Platforms to help move things – more secure and arguably less strenuous than telekinesis. Also great for climbing if there’s a larger group.
- Trampolines or other things, either for movement or to soften one’s fall.
- Armor. Great if you’re trying to be sneaky, but know you might get in trouble – you can weave something strong enough to stop a blaster anywhere. Also good for protecting others. Strands can be both highly durable and flexible enough to not hamper movement. Tends to be ineffective against weapons like lightsabers, save glancing blows.
- Clothes. Sometimes your stuff gets dirty when you’re out, or you need an extra layer. I weave myself a scarf when it’s cold out. No waste from fast fashion, either.
- I wove a flying dragon-head to fight a Sith once. In the end he escaped, but at the very least, it was kind of cool.
Conclusion
Mist-Weaving has an incredible number of applications. It’s simple at its core, yet rewards creative use and cultivation of the basics. Even if that were all, I would still strongly recommend teaching every Jedi and Force-sensitive ally how to weave.
However, the nature of Mist-Weaving makes it even more rewarding to careful students. There are lessons to be learned from these threads, so much so that one can feel the connection to the ancient weavers, touch the same strands, and be immersed in the Force in an entirely new way.
I hope that this guide has proven useful and educational to you. We’re connected by a thread now, you and I – don’t hesitate to pull on it if you need guidance or aid.
All the best in your weaving.
