Magic (ah NON)
the Anon
The Anon, more commonly referred to as magic by most citizens of Ethae, is one of the fundamental energy forces of creation. It permeates existence. It is in all organic and inorganic matter. Its particles drift in the air of Aldern, and flow through the depths of the deep oceans. It is a source of life and a bringer of death. The Anon is power that holds the world together.
Most consider the Anon a single force, however, it can be broken down into several core elements. The two primary elements are Kianon and Solanon. The former generated at the core of Aldern itself, deep in the heat of the worlds core. The later raining down on Aldern with the warmth and light of the suns and stars. These meet and mix in the atmosphere creating a combined elemental energy that we know as the Anon. This energy can be used and manipulated, to various degrees, by living creatures, be it consciencely or instinctively.
Solanon, in its most natural form is the easiest to control and manipulate. It is primarily what Wizard have studied and sought to harness through the ages. An ability easier said than done. Knowing the power is there, invisible to the world, is one thing, commanding it is another. Though vital for life and existence when combined, Solanon is 'magically' inert when combined with Kianon, at least in regard to using it as an effective tool. Centuries of studies and experiments have created series of movements of the hands and body to shift the air in the right way to separate the Kianon from the Solanon, words pronounced is the right way vibrate those particles, stimulated the Solanon. The two combined in the proper way will create the magical effect desired, or backfire spectacularly if a mistake is made. Material components can be used to aid in this manipulation, as materials will react to the Anon in their own unique ways.
Kianon flows up from the heart of the world. This energy bleeds through the elements within the world. Every element, with its unique properties interact with Kianon in a unique way. Most minerals have the ability to absorb Kianon into them as the energy passes through the crust of Aldern towards the surface. Skilled craftsmen can bring out these dormant energies, creating enchanted items. Casters carry gems around, or create wands and staff, to channel the Anon in specific ways. Some of the greatest weapons the world has known come from metals found in concentrated locations of Kianon energy.
The two elements of the Anon, Kianon and Solanon, primarily come together naturally, their particles mixing with the air, drifting unseen together around all things in the world. The two come together in other ways as well, however. The flora of Aldern absorbs Kianon through their roots as they do the nutrients needed to grow and flourish. They take in the Solanon with the light their leaves absorb. Within the body of the plants these forces merge and are released into the world in what is called Daanan. This is considered purest form of the Anon, and the hardest to control. It is this energy that druids of Aldern study and attempt to master.
Daanan is not only generated within the plant life of the world, however. It is generated within all living beings as well. When a person breaths in air with Kianon and Solanon, when they eat the plants generating Daanan, their living bodies produce and store tiny levels of the magic. Nothing like that of flora, but it is there within all life. It is this Daanan within each being that gives any ability to manipulate the Anon itself. When someone casts, their bodies pull upon this stored energy as it aids the manipulation of the Solanon in the world around them. This is why casters spend years training their bodies, not just to cast, but to hone their body's ability to generate greater levels of Daanan, and train it to channel that energy through them.
It is thanks to the Elf and Dragon that a Human can generate large enough quantities of Daanan within themselves to cast. It is the humans with elven ancestors that are the strongest and most stable casters. Their blood literally a channel for producing and expelling magical energy. Dragons on the other hand cannot pass their blood down to humans, as the two species are not compatible for reproducing, even if the dragon is in human form. Dragons, their bodies as natural of a generator of Daanan as the Elder Trees themselves, can channel some of this energy to those that serve them, albeit to a limited extent. They can also ritualistically infuse their blood into a willing human host, boosting that human's ability to generate Daanan. This infused power, the dragon's blood, can be passed down through the generations there after, though growing weaker through the generations.
While an energy drastically different than the Anon, the force known as the Shadow is categorized as part of magic, and thus included as part of the Anon. The Shadow is believed to be energy that bleeds through the walls between worlds, primarily from Etu Enur. In itself the energy is harmless and inert, however, it become volatile when it comes in contact with Daanan. This leaked energy from Beyond Aldern will merge with the particles of Daanan, mutating them into what some call Etu Anon, though must just call it Shadow Magic. This form of magic can mutate the Daanan within the casters body. The results often lead to death, but survivors can become powerful casters. Even those with little to no elven or dragon blood can access the Shadow, should they survive the infusion process. It should be noted that those without strong bloodlines rarely survive.
Using magic is not all light and energy however, it can have a cost. In the prehistoric periods, when the world was new, people could wield the magical energies of the Anon as easily as breathing. Through the centuries however living bodies became less pure, and magic was corrupted through wars and destruction. Controlling the Daanan within the body, in the modern day, can easily cause damage. Many women suffer from infertility due to the damage channeling magic through them. Men, lacking the 'lifeforces' within the ovaries, can show signs of leprosy and weaker immune system. Elves and strong human bloodlines easily avoid these fates, but as the world draws father away from the purity of the old world, the worse these conditions grow, and as such, the fewer that are willing to use magic in the modern day. With less practitioners, knowledge is lost, and while magic will never vanish from the world, the use of it slowly is.
Comments