The act of invocation is borrowing an
astral's authority over their
domain (concept or virtue) and exercising it as magic in a lesser form of
resonance factor manipulation.
Since the Fall and near-complete disappearance of divine magic (save for that practiced by the nephilim), sentient beings with a propensity for magic can only manipulate the existing world around them rather than create and destroy entirely new existences of matter and energy. There are many varied schools of magic, and "invocation" is one of them.
Basic Principles
The school of invocation follows the basic principles of lesser resonance:
manipulation through the conscious projection of will,
control of the projection through imposed purpose, and
dissemination of the exercised control through the relinquishment or alteration of the state of mind. But where the school of invocation differs from other schools, like conjuration and projection, is the practitioner
releases infused resonance or magic energy inside an object, thereby enhancing or even entirely changing the properties of said object. As with conjuration, this school focuses on energy transference.
The name of this form of magic is derived from the practitioner verbally incanting a spell that allows them to use the stored resonance of an object to achieve a specific purpose.
Divine Artifacts
The primary example of invocation can be found in the use of "divine artifacts", which are objects (mainly weapons or pieces of armor) infused with resonance. The process of infusing the object is
not invocation. That is known as enchanting—a different form of magic. However, when a practitioner recites aloud a spell to use the stored energy, releases it, and manipulates it in service of a set goal, they are thereby
invoking. Further lending meaning to the name, the invocation is meant to call upon the favor of an astral who has authority over a virtue most closely associated with the spell's purpose. Therefore, the astral is lending the person invoking their name and authority their strength, empowering the spell.
The Arcanaan Empire
The
Templar Orders found in the
The Arcanaan Empire are the most well-known (and likely most proficient) practitioners of invocation magic. Though the
Violet College teaches it, as they do all common schools of magic, an aspiring invoker would duly consider pledging themselves to one of the twelve Templar brotherhoods if they want to master it.
As stalwart "knights of the people" that serve their patron astrals, Templars often wield enchanted swords, shields, and armor pieces. Their invocation training incorporates a balance of offensive, defensive, and healing spells, making them well-rounded fighters that can handle plenty of missions for their brotherhood alone.
The Nasir Dominion
In
The Nasir Dominion, the
Library of Sena has plenty of records on invocation magic, but the practice never found much use as the Dominion lacks enough divine artifacts to place invokers in high demand. However, some few officers in the
The Crimson Legions do possess divine artifacts and can sufficiently use their enchantments through a modified art of invocation. Instead of calling upon an astral domain, these invokers rely on their own willpower to act as the "authority" and pair it with an incantation they themselves devised. Emotions seem to drive their ability to release a divine artifact's stored resonance. Thus, Nasirians have taken to calling this modified form of magic,
evocation, as opposed to
invocation.
