Incantation
Incantation is the magical form that covers much of what we think of as charms and enchantments. (Also hexes, curses, jinxes, and other language-based or focused magics.) It often combines explicitly with music or other performance aspects. It's heavily used in investigative work and healing, as well as research and theory.
As such, it's considered a key skill for the Penelopes as well as the Guard. A fair bit of Duelling (both Martial and Protective aspects) also benefits from good Incantation skills.
Ptolemy's Third Schema, used in both On The Bias and Eclipse allows a replay of a specific period of time in that location. (It has some limitations, both a relatively short replay and the fact you don't get sound.)
Education
Taught in some from at all Five Schools, as well as through apprenticeship, but the forms and complexity vary in different places. Many of the common domestic charms fall under incantation, so this form of magic is probably the most widely used.Applications
- Performances and entertainment - music, theatre, illusion work.
- Truth charms in courtrooms and equivalent.
- Detecting magical objects or residue.
- Identifying certain kinds of danger or risk.
- Changing colours, fabric textures, etc. (Most forms of this done by Incantation don't last more than a few hours - great for a party, not for every day.)
- Glamour, enchantment, encouraging someone to do what you want.
- Reducing pain, swelling, and other similar lower impact healing effects.
- Mending and soothing breaks in plants, goods, or other material objects.
- A wide variety of applications for sex and pleasure.
- Several of the contraceptive methods are incantation.
Examples
An example from Goblin Fruit
Geoffrey Carillon uses Incantation a number of times in Goblin Fruit. Notable uses include changing Lizzie Penhallow's dress before the pairs party, and the charms he uses when they have sex.
