Wishing
This world is very much a work in progress, so please forgive any continuity mishaps
The magic system of Aereltia is based on literally wishing on a star, with a few caveats.
The Stars of Aereltia are not giants balls of fire, but pieces of a gods soul that emit light. These Stars are on a scale of power from 1 to 9, where Scale 1 stars aren't very bright or very powerful. Scale 9 Stars are the biggest and brightest, and the most powerful; and of course the most rare.
To gain the magic of the Stars, you must make an binding oath to a particular star. Each person may only be bound to one Star for their lifetime, and each star may only be bound to one person, though we are unsure if a bound Star may be bound again. Our current research suggests that each star may only be bound once, but it may only be a waiting or recharging period and we simply have not been studying Stars for sufficient time to discover patterns.
In order to grant the wishes of the oathbound, or wishmage, he must give up a Measure of his soul. The soul can be divided into equal parts, or Measures, nine in total. Much like giving blood, portions of the soul can be given up to the Star and the soul will 'refill' over time. One Measure of soul will grant a small wish, like making your sheep grow 10% faster; and nine measures will grant you godlike powers, but will kill you.
So you can say, I give up one measure of soul, and the star takes that measure and you get an equal measure of power, proportional to the Star's power and the amount of soul you give up. You need all nine measures to live, so most people only give up to eight. But giving up eight makes you deathly weak, and kinda negates the effect of the magic, so most people don't go over 6 measures. 6 measures is pretty powerful anyway, so no need to.
Scale 1 stars are pretty small and faint, and not very powerful. They can, at 6 measures, do things like make your sheep grow faster, or food more nourishing, or one food taste like another.
Scale 5 stars, at 1 measure, can do stuff like improve your eyesight incredibly, give you extra strength, etc. At 6 measures, Can give you super duper eyesight, like what do your elf eyes see Legolas. Or your get super duper strong, like superman strong.
Scale 9 stars, of which there are few unbound, can give you godlike powers. At 1 measure, you could theoretically control the weather. At 6 measures, you might even have the power to resurrect the dead. Scale 9 at five measures, you can fly and shapeshift and do crazy stuff like that; at 6 measures, or 7 if you dared give that much, and you can manipulate the elements and animate inanimate objects. Some pretty powerful stuff, no matter what your original wish was. Obviously whatever magic you get will only be within the realm of what you wished for: if you wished for pyromancy, you just got super powerful pyromancy, and could manipulate anything firey. if you wished for elemental magic however, you could control all four elements. Quite a bit of practice needed for that though. However, after a certain Scale, you have to give a minimum number of Measures. For example, at scale 5, you have to give a minimum of two Measures; at scale 9 you have to give a minimum of five.
Every three scales (because we know how much the Eno love 3) is a group, each group has a minimum measure.
Group 1 (scale 1-3) can be as little as a quarter measure; the minimum is almost non-existent, but most people place the minimum at 1 measure otherwise literally nothing happens, as the stars in Group 1 are already weak.
Group 2 (scale 4-6) has a minimum of 1-3, scale 6 has a minimum of 3 but in certain situations it can be cheated a little.
Group 3 (scale 7-9) has a minimum of 3, and it just keeps going up. Scale 9 Stars were all snatched up in the beginning, but wishmages discovered that many had already been bound, and it seemed for a long time. It seems that in the thousands of years before wishing was properly discovered, several people unwittingly bound themselves to these stars, and gained great powers. They were probably, scholars suggest, the heroes of famous legends, such as the Prophet of Roses, and Arlire of Yaivia. It is unknown exactly how they came to swear to such powerful stars, but they were no doubt the source of their mysterious power.
To gain the magic of the Stars, you must make an binding oath to a particular star. Each person may only be bound to one Star for their lifetime, and each star may only be bound to one person, though we are unsure if a bound Star may be bound again. Our current research suggests that each star may only be bound once, but it may only be a waiting or recharging period and we simply have not been studying Stars for sufficient time to discover patterns.
In order to grant the wishes of the oathbound, or wishmage, he must give up a Measure of his soul. The soul can be divided into equal parts, or Measures, nine in total. Much like giving blood, portions of the soul can be given up to the Star and the soul will 'refill' over time. One Measure of soul will grant a small wish, like making your sheep grow 10% faster; and nine measures will grant you godlike powers, but will kill you.
So you can say, I give up one measure of soul, and the star takes that measure and you get an equal measure of power, proportional to the Star's power and the amount of soul you give up. You need all nine measures to live, so most people only give up to eight. But giving up eight makes you deathly weak, and kinda negates the effect of the magic, so most people don't go over 6 measures. 6 measures is pretty powerful anyway, so no need to.
Scale 1 stars are pretty small and faint, and not very powerful. They can, at 6 measures, do things like make your sheep grow faster, or food more nourishing, or one food taste like another.
Scale 5 stars, at 1 measure, can do stuff like improve your eyesight incredibly, give you extra strength, etc. At 6 measures, Can give you super duper eyesight, like what do your elf eyes see Legolas. Or your get super duper strong, like superman strong.
Scale 9 stars, of which there are few unbound, can give you godlike powers. At 1 measure, you could theoretically control the weather. At 6 measures, you might even have the power to resurrect the dead. Scale 9 at five measures, you can fly and shapeshift and do crazy stuff like that; at 6 measures, or 7 if you dared give that much, and you can manipulate the elements and animate inanimate objects. Some pretty powerful stuff, no matter what your original wish was. Obviously whatever magic you get will only be within the realm of what you wished for: if you wished for pyromancy, you just got super powerful pyromancy, and could manipulate anything firey. if you wished for elemental magic however, you could control all four elements. Quite a bit of practice needed for that though. However, after a certain Scale, you have to give a minimum number of Measures. For example, at scale 5, you have to give a minimum of two Measures; at scale 9 you have to give a minimum of five.
Every three scales (because we know how much the Eno love 3) is a group, each group has a minimum measure.
Group 1 (scale 1-3) can be as little as a quarter measure; the minimum is almost non-existent, but most people place the minimum at 1 measure otherwise literally nothing happens, as the stars in Group 1 are already weak.
Group 2 (scale 4-6) has a minimum of 1-3, scale 6 has a minimum of 3 but in certain situations it can be cheated a little.
Group 3 (scale 7-9) has a minimum of 3, and it just keeps going up. Scale 9 Stars were all snatched up in the beginning, but wishmages discovered that many had already been bound, and it seemed for a long time. It seems that in the thousands of years before wishing was properly discovered, several people unwittingly bound themselves to these stars, and gained great powers. They were probably, scholars suggest, the heroes of famous legends, such as the Prophet of Roses, and Arlire of Yaivia. It is unknown exactly how they came to swear to such powerful stars, but they were no doubt the source of their mysterious power.
Manifestation
Those with Oaths have the number of their Star tattooed on their body, usually their hand or arm. Giving up the soul is very much a thought transaction, however it is physically felt. It varies from mage to mage but most describe it as a burning pain; from the slight burn of brushing a candle flame at one Measure, to the feeling of being on fire at eight Measures.
Due to the pain felt when using their magic, many wishmages carry bouquets of Wild Oletty, small red flowers that have a mild painkilling effect when chewed. It's not uncommon to see mages with pockets and belts stuffed with flowers, though the more sanitary types cut the flowers off and store them in bottles or bags. Wild Oletty can also be dried and ground in power for a more potent effect, readily available at any herbcote.
Wishmages often wear [garments] embroidered with their clan motif or pattern, usually around the hems. must do thought on eno clothes first When using the magic, the mage's skin and hair will glow, though this varies depending on the Scale of star and Measure given, and the skill of the mage. Many skilled mages can suppress the glow if there is a need for stealth.
Due to the pain felt when using their magic, many wishmages carry bouquets of Wild Oletty, small red flowers that have a mild painkilling effect when chewed. It's not uncommon to see mages with pockets and belts stuffed with flowers, though the more sanitary types cut the flowers off and store them in bottles or bags. Wild Oletty can also be dried and ground in power for a more potent effect, readily available at any herbcote.
Wishmages often wear [garments] embroidered with their clan motif or pattern, usually around the hems. must do thought on eno clothes first When using the magic, the mage's skin and hair will glow, though this varies depending on the Scale of star and Measure given, and the skill of the mage. Many skilled mages can suppress the glow if there is a need for stealth.
Type
Metaphysical, Divine
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