Lothanasi Light Abilities
The backbone of a Lightbringer's magical training is a set of techniques called the inherent spells. These are abilities that draw on the Lightbringer's own life force in order to work, rather than shaping mana through arcane magic. The Lothanasi's training in the inherent spells is secretive and built on techniques developed over 2800 years ago, so no one is quite sure whether these abilities are actually magical or psionic in nature. The talent for this "divine magic" runs in families, and the test for aptitude in it is one of the factors considered in recruitment.
Light
The most basic inherent spell summons a globe of light to the hand. This light can then be moved around or affixed to a certain position relative to the Lightbringer's frame of reference. The light provides useful illumination out to a distance of about 60 feet.
Light Healing
The Light Healing was first taught to the Lothanasi by Akkala, who saw the need for emergency field magic that did not require prior negotiation with the goddess for healing. Now that the gods have fallen to Earth, the Light Healing's independence from Akkala's power is even more of a blessing. This technique requires the complete concentration of the caster; he projects his consciousness into the body of the injured person and wills the body to repair itself. Light Healing is dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced user; it is very physically and mentally demanding, and the user needs to have enough understanding of medicine and biology to visualize the change that he wants to produce. All Lightbringers, field and ops personnel alike, are trained in the technique and required to practice it regularly.
Shield
The primary defensive technique learned by the Lothanasi, the shield spell creates a barrier of invisible force in front of the caster's hands. The basic shield is a quarter-dome of sparkling blue-white energy that lasts for only a fraction of a second, though it can be maintained with the caster's will if necessary. The shield spell was originally developed to block the teeth and claws of supernatural creatures, but it also works well against energy attacks, arrows and darts. Only a very strong Lightbringer can stop bullets with it, but even a "normal" level shield can kill a good chunk of a bullet's momentum and increase the agent's chance of surviving the shot. Clever Lightbringers have learned how to modify the shield to absorb the impact from long falls, deflect bullets off course rather than trying to stop them cold, and even bull-rush an enemy combatant.
Voice Projection
Magically amplifies the Lightbringer's voice. This is less necessary in the age of wireless headsets and loudspeakers, but on the ancient battlefield it saved many lives.
Warding
Lightbringers can set wards against supernatural creatures. Some Lothanasi are better at placing wards, some are better at manipulating wards set by other individuals/creatures.
Other abilities in history
In the records of the Lothanasi, there are accounts of priests and priestesses who could hear the thoughts of others and prophets who could see the future, although the Lightbringers do not find any recruits these days with those abilities (the thought-hearing specifically) in the modern age.
Sources
Lothanasi, conversation with RavenB, A Lightbringer Christmas Carol
Author's Notes
Spoilers - the following notes have been transcribed by the Librarian from conversation.
The talent for Light "magic" is actually a psionic talent, which is why the BMR doesn't pick it up during childhood screening for magical aptitude.
The Psi Collective misses these psis as well- they focus their search for psis to include only those who have at least some level of telepathy (so they can enter into gestalt with the Hive) in addition to other abilities, they will miss other individuals who may have fairly powerful psionic abilities.
This explains how there were telepathic priests/priestess in the past- in a time when psionics was rarer in general due to the mana cycle, but since the Collective formed they've been taking the telepaths at earlier ages than the standard Lothanasi recruitment age. In addition, families who have Light Abilities would pass those abilities on (and not pick up telepathy through genetic heritage), and would get training to younger children (like Janus, who could use Light Healing at the age of 12) when they needed it.
This also means that when Nasoj merges with Jared, the Vessel and is diffused among the Collective, the Lightbringers will be unaffected- Nasoj/Jared are only able to spread out through the Collective telepathic gestalt.
