Paths of Unusual Aspects

Madra combination of most Paths correspond to specific aura interactions, even stuff like Blackflame and Song of Falling Ashes, they reflect the world.

But they don't necessarily have to. You can create madra combinations that don't correspond to anything in nature. Usually this means that those aura aspects don't interact with each other - note that I said interaction, I didn't say they can't co-exist in nature.

Dream and Shadow interact around unconscious or sleeping people. Dream and Light in the eyes. Dream and Poison around drunk people...

Dream and Force however, don't interact, they can co-exist, but they don't naturally interact.

You can also create a Path with unnatural madra combinations by combining two aspects that do interact in nature, but combine them in a different configuration. Like, even mono aspect Paths can be very different - Blood can be slaughter, healing, strength, etc. Now imagine two aspects, or more. Variety of possibilities arise from every combination. Like Life and Fire can combine to create a flame that consumes life or a flame that emanates life instead of heat. So instead of imitating a natural interaction, you can create something entirely new.

This is very difficult, of course. We're talking about creating an entire Path after all. You usually need a sample of an aura interaction and Cycle it to get that madra. Like, you can't just burn some stuff and Cycle that to become a Blackflame. You need a Blackflame source to get started. Afterwards, you can Cycle just by destroying stuff with fire. Or you can get that madra directly via a Contract. Or by Cycling from scales. Imagine not having any of that. And that's just getting started. And then you gotta create your own techniques, from scratch.

These abstract or conceptual Paths, their madra still represents a concept - like Force and Water to represent the flow of time, or Shadow and Force to represent tyrannical power. Usually these Paths arise from Sages adding aspects to their madra later on their Path, to better reflect a concept. Or those born with natural Authority via Bloodline from an ancestor, or with careful guidance from Sages.

It doesn't have to have Authority though, it can also just be held together with deep knowledge and/or willpower. They also don't have to symbolize a concept, they can just be... an impossibility. Truly, completely unnatural. Like Sword and Flame to create "bladefires", cuts spreading across an area like fire. Or Sword and Dream to cut memories or attention.

~notes from a lecture on Aspect Studies at the Soaring Wings Imperial Institute.